MATCH OF THE DAQ previews Chelsea v Benfica (Premier League, K.O 19.45, Sky Sports 1)
Despite all the stick Rafael Benitez has got from the Chelsea fans, the Stamford Bridge faithful can hardly argue a Champions League place guaranteed for next season as well as a successive European final is not a good return from their interim manager.
Chelsea v Benfica
Europa League Final
K.O 19.45, ITV 1
HEAD TO HEAD
(Max 10 only)
04 Apr 2012 Champions League, Chelsea 2 – 1 Benfica
27 Mar 2012 Champions League, Benfica 0 – 1 Chelsea
PREVIEW
Despite all the stick Rafael Benitez has got from the Chelsea fans, the Stamford Bridge faithful can hardly argue a Champions League place guaranteed for next season as well as a successive European final is not a good return from their interim manager.
Chelsea will be bidding to become the first English team and just the fourth overall to complete a clean sweep of all of Europe’s major trophies when they face Benfica tonight in Amsterdam in the Europa League showpiece.
This will be Benfica’s ninth major European final but since winning two European Cup finals in the early 1960’s they have lost their last six. On the other hand, Chelsea have never lost any of their four finals so far, in normal time at least. They were famously beaten on penalties by Manchester United in 2008 in the Champions League.
The Blues have won both of their previous matches with the Iberian giants, each time by a single goal and go into this game having lost just one of their last eight previous clashes with Portuguese teams. Benfica have just one victory – a 3-1 win over Newcastle this term – over English sides in their last seven encounters
Both Victor Moses and Fernando Torres have hit form in this competition and, guided by the inventiveness and class of Juan Mata in midfield, can break down a decent outfit but one which has wobbled in recent weeks. They have dropped five points in their last two league games, meaning they will have to better FC Porto’s result and hope their rivals drop points on the weekend to win the league.
Take the English side to continue their rich form and win.
RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Back Chelsea at around 2.44 on BETDAQ: 5 points
Tuesday: -4.00 points
MAY RETURN TO DATE: -22.86 points
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