Sevilla vs Chelsea predictions and match preview for Wednesday’s game in the UEFA Champions League. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the top two in Group E clash.
- DATE: Wednesday 2nd December 2020
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán
- COMPETITION: UEFA Champions League (Group Stage)
Sevilla vs Chelsea Preview
The Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán is the venue for a mouth-watering Champions League tie on Wednesday night as Sevilla host Chelsea in the Group E pole position decider after both sides secured qualification for the last 16 on Matchday 4. Since the Andalusians and the Londoners played out a goalless stalemate in the first game, both of them went on to win all of their next three matches against newcomers Rennes and Krasnodar.
That means Sevilla and Chelsea are still locked at 10 points apiece with the Blues currently on top courtesy of a superior goal difference. But that will not matter if either side triumphs on Wednesday as the winner shall take top spot on head-to-head. Matchday 6 would then be a dead rubber, which is surely what Julen Lopetegui would want.
Sevilla have been leaving it late to win matches recently. It was Munir’s last kick of the game against Krasnodar which brought all three points back from Russia last week. They were made to work tremendously hard at the Alcoraz on Saturday as well with the only goal in their game against Huesca coming from En-Nesyri in the 83rd minute.
Nevertheless, Sevilla have now won each of their last five matches in all competitions after winning only one in the previous six, and that’s exactly the confidence boost you need when you’re up against a side like Chelsea. The Andalusians have leaped to fifth in LaLiga and back among the European places after three losses in a row last month saw them dip down to the lower half of the table.
Like many teams across the league, Sevilla haven’t been strangers to injuries in this tightly-scheduled pandemic-affected season which means Lopetegui is starting to rely on his bench a little more. New signings Oussama Idrissi and Karim Rekik were given important minutes in Russia with the latter also getting his first start at Huesca. Aleix Vidal made his first appearance of the season after returning from a season-long loan at Alavés.
Chelsea were involved in a top of the table clash in the Premier League on Sunday at Stamford Bridge against London rivals Tottenham. A nil-nil draw meant that the Blues’ six game winning run in all competitions came to a halt but Frank Lampard’s team is still one of the most in-form sides in England, having not lost since September when they fell to a 2-0 home loss to champions Liverpool.
The Blues are showing dominance at both ends of the pitch as they possess the joint-best attack in the league with 22 goals in 10 matches and their defensive record of 10 goals conceded is only bettered by leaders Tottenham. With seven clean sheets in their last nine matches, Julen Lopetegui will know they are up against a Chelsea team much better defensively since their last meeting in October.
Head to Head
- The sides drew 0-0 in West London earlier in the group.
- That was the first ever competitive meeting.
Team News
Sevilla have some key absentees in defence with both their left backs Sergio Escudero and Marcos Acuña out due to muscle problems. Carlos Fernández and Bono are still recovering from COVID-19 while winger Suso continues to be on the sidelines.
There are no big misses for Frank Lampard as only youngster Billy Gilmour is currently out injured.
Predicted Sevilla Starting Lineup:
Vaclík – Rekik, Carlos, Koundé, Navas – Jordán, Fernando, Rakitić – Munir, En-Nesyri, Ocampos (4-3-3)
Predicted Chelsea Starting Lineup:
Mendy – Chilwell, Silva, Zouma, James – Mount, Kanté, Kovačić – Werner, Abraham, Ziyech (4-3-3)
Sevilla vs Chelsea Predictions
Score Prediction: Sevilla 1-1 Chelsea
Sevilla might have already secured qualification but there’s no way Lopetegui is not treating this fixture as must-win as top spot in the group will allow them to dodge some big European names in the round of 16. Undoubtedly Sevilla face their toughest opposition of the season here.
Their visitors from the English capital might be in red hot form but this is the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán and very few teams manage to return all smiles from here, especially against this Sevilla side which very well knows how to deal with elite teams on European nights. With the injury concerns, it could be somewhat tough getting all three points and as such a draw seems likely.
UEFA Champions League Betting Tips (18+)
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