Fixture congestion is in full effect, again, for another week, but this time it’s European competition. Chelsea FC, winners of the 2021 final but off to a meandering start this season, commence the quest to add to their European trophy cabinet on Tuesday.
They’ll travel to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek to begin the journey to potential glory. This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams.
Chelsea at Dinamo Zagreb Champions League Group Stage
Kick: Tue, Sept. 6, 5:45pm, Stadion Maksimir
Competition: Group E, Match Day 1 of 6
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 66% Dinamo Zagreb 14% Draw 20%
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Chelsea Team News
Only team news items here concern the deadline day Denis Zakaria could make his debut, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is sidelined hile he adjusts to wearing a mask to protect his broken jaw. Expect Ben Chilwell to have earned himself a spot in the starting lineup now, but then again with Thomas Tuchel, you just never know for sure.
Two of the German’s favorite players to select, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, should come back into the first team here after having been relegated to a substitute role in the controversial come from behind win over West Ham United yesterday.
And the word “controversial” is really doing some heavy lifting here in that sentence. At least for Hammers supporters. Let’s try and forecast the ‘ol team sheet.
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction
Arrizabalaga; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Sterling; Havertz
Prediction: Chelsea 1, Dinamo Zagreb 0
Expect what Twitter users call “Tucheliban” to be in full effect for this one. It’ll be a defense-oriented affair.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) 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.