MX23RW : Friday, December 4 13:15:36| >> :60:202:202:
Dec 2, 2020 at 8pm UK at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
SevillaSevilla
0-4
ChelseaChelsea

Gudelj (15'), Idrissi (41'), Gomez (82'), Jordan (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Giroud (8', 54', 74', 83' pen.)
Kovacic (37'), Pulisic (43'), Mount (90+1'), Ziyech (90+1')

Preview: Sevilla vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Sevilla and Chelsea, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Chelsea take on Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday evening in a shootout for top spot in Champions League Group E.

Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 with two games to go, meaning that all focus is now on securing a favourable tie in the first knockout stage.


Match preview

Chelsea's Kurt Zouma competes with Sevilla players during their Champions League match on October 20, 2020© Reuters

Chelsea were made to work hard by Rennes last time out in Europe, but a late goal from substitute Olivier Giroud saw them pick up a 2-1 win and with it a place in the last 16.

The Blues have now won three in a row in the competition since drawing 0-0 with Sevilla on the opening matchday - not since 2012 have they won four straight Champions League games.

That was the season Chelsea lifted the trophy for the only time with a famous win over Bayern Munich in the final, while not since 2015-16 have they finished top of a group.

It has been 11 years since Sevilla last topped a Champions League group, meanwhile, but that will be the reward if one of these sides can pick up a victory on Wednesday night.

Los Nervionenses have also followed up their matchday one draw at Stamford Bridge with three straight wins, beating Rennes 1-0 and Krasnodar 3-2 and 2-1 home and away respectively.

Sevilla head coach Julen Lopetegui pictured on November 4, 2020© Reuters

Sevilla, more accustomed to competing in and winning the Europa League, are out to go unbeaten in their first five games in UEFA's flagship competition for the first time.

Julen Lopetegui's men certainly enter the game in good form thanks to five wins in a row in all competitions, most recently beating Huesca 1-0 to climb up to fifth in La Liga.

Chelsea's six-game winning streak was brought to an end by Tottenham Hotspur in a 0-0 draw on Sunday, meanwhile, but the Blues are now unbeaten in 11 since September.

However, the English club have won only one of their last 10 games against Spanish opponents in the Champions League and are winless in six since beating Atletico Madrid in 2017.

Sevilla, by comparison, are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with English sides in major European competition (W3 D4) since a 2-0 loss to Leicester City in 2016-17.

Sevilla Champions League form: DWWW
Sevilla form (all competitions): LWWWWW

Chelsea Champions League form: DWWW
Chelsea form (all competitions): WWWWWD


Team News

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic pictured in July 2020© Reuters

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is expected to field his strongest available side, which could mean an unchanged XI being named on the back of the Tottenham draw.

Christian Pulisic made his return from injury at the weekend and is in contention to start this one, however, while Kai Havertz is another who could do with some minutes.

Up top, Giroud will be disappointed if he is once again overlooked for a starting spot, but his inclusion may well depend on whether Timo Werner is part of the starting lineup.

Former RB Leipzig attacker Werner has been involved in nine goals in nine Champions League away games (eight goals, one assist).

As for Sevilla, goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik's recent return has coincided with the loss of Bono, who recently tested positive for coronavirus.

Karim Rekik has been filling in for the injured Sergio Escudero at left-back, while Suso is another who is carrying a knock.

Lopetegui has plenty of other options in attack, with the likes of Oliver Torres, Luuk de Jong, Lucas Ocampos, Oscar Rodriguez, Oussama Idrissi and Youssef En-Nesyri all available.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Rekik; Jordan, Gudelj, Rakitic; Torres, En-Nesyri, Ocampos

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Havertz, Kante, Mount; Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic


SM words green background

We say: Sevilla 1-1 Chelsea

Sevilla and Chelsea may have achieved their aim of reaching the last 16 at the earliest possible opportunity, but both sides will now be keen to secure top spot.

The hosts have won five games in a row, but Chelsea are also in good form and are unbeaten in nine group stage matches in the Champions League, so we are backing a draw.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:424460:cQx

Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Sevilla and Chelsea?

Sevilla
22.3%
Draw
28.2%
Chelsea
49.4%
1258
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs106312191221
2Liverpool106312217521
3Chelsea1054122101219
4Leicester CityLeicester106041914518
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham105231711617
6Southampton105231916317
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves105231111017
8Everton105141917216
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd95131616016
10Aston Villa95042013715
11Manchester CityMan City94321511415
12Leeds UnitedLeeds104241517-214
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104241215-314
14Arsenal104151012-213
15Crystal Palace104151215-313
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton102441416-210
17Fulham102171119-87
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom10136718-116
19Burnley9126417-135
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd10019416-121

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