Chelsea vs Sevilla Predictions and Betting Tips
The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League season goes underway this Tuesday as all of Europe's elite commence their competition for the coveted cup. Our focus is in Group E as Chelsea entertain Sevilla for the first time across both European competitions. Which one of the sides will launch the new UCL season with a win?
The last two Europa League winners will clash for the first time in European competition. However, it is to be noted that Sevilla has a 47% win percentage against English teams. The most recent triumph was against Manchester United in the 2019/20 Europa League semifinals. Chelsea. on the other hand, have a 37% win percentage against Spanish opposition. Lampard, who was an integral part of those wins for The Blue, will be keen on getting yet another win against Spanish opposition.
New-look Blues still yet to take shape
Chelsea fought tooth and nail as the tail end of the 2019/20 season to land a spot in the UEFA Champions League. They eventually managed that via a 4th place finish after 38 round of fixtures. As such, they were able to land several top signings with the hope of pushing the team further than they've achieved over the past few seasons. However, it hasn't been the best start to the season with the Blues copping just eight points from a possible fifteen in the Premier League.
Their defensive frailties were exploited in their previous league game as they played out a 3-3 draw with Southampton. Timo Werner-with a brace- got off the mark in the Premier League as he fired his side into a two-goal lead. Danny Ings pulled one back for his side to keep them in the game. It was game on in the 57th minute as Che Adams capitalized on some calamitous defending from the Blues. The home side was, once again, ahead two minutes later but failed to see out the game as they conceded a Vesegarrds header in stoppage time.
Los Nervionenses looking to do well in the UCL
The Europa League specialists, this time, find themselves in the highest tier of European competition. As we all know, they haven't been as successful in the UEFA Champions with the Seville-based side never making it past the quarterfinals. It is then left to see how well Lopetegui and his boys will do in the UEFA Champions League.
They were upset by Granada in their most recent game in the Spanish La Liga. Joan Jordan tipped the tie in favour of Granada as he received a second yellow just before halftime. Granada took advantage of the extra man and rightfully fired themselves into the lead only eight minutes from time. As a result, they condemned Sevilla to their first loss of the new campaign.
Chelsea vs Sevilla Team News
Chelsea possible starting XI:
Kepa; Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Christensen; Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Kovacic; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic, Werner
Sevilla possible starting XI:
Bobo; Navas, Carlos, Gomez, Acuna; Fernando, Rakitic, Torres; Ocampos, Munir, de Jong
Chelsea vs Sevilla Prediction: 2-2
Both teams will be keen on getting back to winning ways following calamitous performances last time out. The Blues' defence is considerably weak at the moment ruling out the possibility of a low-scoring game. Sevilla, on the other hand, are considerably better defensively but going forwards, Lampard's boys are expected to trump them. As a result, we don't think any side gets the three points in their opening champions league game. Nonetheless, this is expected to be a good watch for the neutral fans as goals are expected to fly in.
