Chelsea FC are sitting very pretty right now when it comes to advancing through to the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals. Up 3-0 on aggregate from the first leg, the Blues will head to Dynamo Kiev with a very loose mentality and a squad that is essentially fully fit.
At this time, Marco van Ginkel (knee) is Chelsea’s only known injury absentee for the midweek clash. Overall, it seems that manager Maurizio Sarri has gotten through a very rough patch of results lately, and now his job status is apparently on more solid footing.
Although their top four status (a highly competitive four team race for just two spots will transpire over the final eight matches) is anything but certain, they can breathe a bit easier about the second route back into Champions League that they have available via the UEL.
Let’s take a look at who Sarri may select in his first team on the pitch Thursday night in Ukraine.
The Bank Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Dynamo Kiev (UEFA Europa League round of 16)
Attack: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Olivier Giroud, Willian
Midfield: Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley
Defense: Davide Zappacosta, Andreas Christensen, David Luzi, Marcos Alonso
Goalkeeper: Willy Caballero
Chelsea FC at Dynamo Kiev Europa League Round of 16 Leg 2/2 (3-0 aggregate) FYIs
Kickoff: Thursday, March 14, 5:55 pm GMT, Kiev Olympic Stadium
Odds via Bet Fair: Chelsea 23/20, Draw 23/10, Dynamo Kiev 13/5
Odds via Betway to win Europa League tournament: Chelsea 11/4, Napoli 7/2, Arsenal 8/1, Valencia 10/1, Inter 11/1, Sevilla 11/1
Prediction: Chelsea 1, Dynamo Kiev 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.