Chelsea-Sparta Prague Betting Preview: Expect plenty of goals at Stamford Bridge
Feb 21, 2013 12:00:00 PM
With a one-goal cushion and a big game coming up, Rafa Benitez is expected to rest some key players. Nevertheless, Al Hain-Cole thinks there will be no shortage of goals
Thanks to Oscar’s late winner in Prague last Thursday, Chelsea can rest slightly more easily when Sparta visit Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday.With a tough match at Manchester City to contend with this weekend, Rafa Benitez will no doubt take the opportunity to give some of his key players a much-needed rest before the trip to the Etihad.
Nevertheless, an under-strength line-up should still be enough to see off the Czech visitors, and Bet365 are offering odds of 3/10 (1.30) on the hosts completing the job with a win.The Reds have not managed a European away victory since their first qualifying game, but you can get odds of 9/1 (10.00) on them breaking that run in the home of the European champions.
In fact, three of the visitors’ last four away ties resulted in a draw, so another stalemate is perhaps not out of the question, at odds of 4/1 (5.00).
Despite the customary boos that ring around Stamford Bridge these days, the home supporters have certainly not been deprived of goals, with 34 having been scored at either end in the last eight matches.
With a strike rate like that, at least three goals seem more than likely in this match, and odds of 3/4 (1.75) are not to be missed on over 2.5 going in this evening.Marko Marin has been a peripheral figure since arriving in west London last summer, and has failed to match the impact of fellow attacking midfielder Eden Hazard in his time at the club, albeit with fewer opportunities.
However, the Germany international finally opened his account for the club after coming on as a substitute in the last Premier League home game against Wigan, and was in the starting line-up for last week’s away leg in Prague.
Having been rested for the FA Cup clash against Brentford, Marin seems very likely to start, meaning odds of 3/1 (4.00) look very enticing for him to hit the back of the net as he seeks to impress.
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Over 2.5 goals at 3/4 (1.75) with Bet365 |
Marko Marin to score anytime at 3/1 (4.00) with Bet365 |
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Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.
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