Chelsea played Manchester United to a score draw yesterday, in a match that saw all the scoring transpire at the tail end. It was probably a more riveting match than the 1-1 final score line might indicate, and it marked the fifth straight time that the two sides have split the spoils.
The Blues got a point in what was a critical match in the battle for a top four finish, but it came with a cost. Blues boss Graham Potter, still undefeated in his eight matches leading the west London club, has two fresh fitness concerns for the midweek trip to Austria. Let’s take a look.
Chelsea vs RB Salzburg FYIs
Kick: Tue. Oct. 25, 5:45pm, Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Competition: UCL Group E, Matchday 5 of 6
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction: go here
After Extra Time Pod: Spotify Apple Podcasts
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 55% RB Salzburg 21% Draw 24%
UCL Form: Chelsea WWDL RB Salzburg DWDD
UCL Group Standings: Chelsea: 1st, 7 pts RB Salzburg 2nd, 6 pts
Chelsea Team News
Kalidou Koulibaly missed out on the league fixture yesterday, with Potter admitting the issue was related to knee pain that the central defender began to suffer after the goalless draw with Brentford. Safe to say that he’s a doubt for the clash at RB Salzburg. Mateo Kovacic, also struggling with a knee problem, was not in the starting lineup, as his minutes are being managed. His role will likely be limited here.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.