Chelsea and Arsenal make the 2,800-mile trip to Azerbaijan to battle it out for the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
The Baku showpiece offers a route into next season’s Champions League for the Gunners – and both managers will be hoping to end mixed debut seasons in England with a trophy.
GETTY
4
Who will be victorious in Baku?
The final takes place against a backdrop of controversy, with UEFA’s decision to host the final in Baku heavily scrutinised.
Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not travel to Azerbaijan due to fear over his safety, while thousands of tickets have been returned by both clubs due to the cost and logistics involved in the trip.
It promises to be an unusual occasion, with so few supporters in attendance, but so much remains at stake.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
Chelsea have absentees of their own, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Antonio Rudiger all injured – and N’Golo Kante also looks set to miss out.
With all that said, our writers have made their predictions…
Sean O’Brien – Arsenal
Chelsea are missing, arguably, their three best players behind Eden Hazard. Rudiger will prove a particularly big miss against the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Kante and Loftus-Cheek are the only midfielders who provide any sort of direct thrust – and the Blues risk losing the midfield battle without them.
Sarri’s side have a tendency to start slowly, and they also have less motivation than their opponents. Expect Emery’s men to race out of the blocks and grab an early goal.
GETTY
4
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could have too much for Chelsea
Joe Moore – Chelsea
Chelsea are extremely annoying. This is known. Even if their form is terrible, their key players playing badly and their manager is burning under the spotlight, they still find a way to win.
I reckon they will here, too. Arsenal have greatly improved under Unai Emery this season, but their defence is still not up to scratch.
Aubameyang and Lacazette may have something to say about it, but Chelsea may just edge this one.
Joe Coleman – Arsenal
Despite reaching two cup finals and securing a quite incredulous third-place finish in the Premier League, Maurizio Sarri’s job is somehow under threat.
The job he has done at Stamford Bridge seems to be completely unappreciated by the fans and the board and it is likely this will be both Eden Hazard and the Italian’s last game.
With such a sombre mood surrounding the Blues, expect to see Europa League specialist Unai Emery weave his magic in Baku once again.
GETTY
4
Will this be a swan song for Hazard at Chelsea?
Josh Fordham – Chelsea
The better of the two teams over the course of the season.
Eden Hazard will make the difference in what is likely to be his last game in a Blue shirt.
Jackson Cole – Arsenal
I’m going for Arsenal to triumph in Baku especially because manager Unai Emery is the Europa League specialist (winning it three years running as Sevilla boss).
Meanwhile, for all his good points, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri doesn’t actually have a winners’ medal in his entire career in football apart from individual accolades.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have been pure flames at points this season and Chelsea’s limited defence can be got at by the strikers.
N’Golo Kante’s possible absence could be crucial but if Eden Hazard is at his free-flowing best on what is likely to be his farewell Blues appearance, then my prediction of an Arsenal win will probably be wrong!
Getty
4
N’Golo Kante is a doubt for Chelsea
Oliver Dawney – Chelsea
The Blues in Baku have already secured Champions League football and I believe that will work in their favour.
Expect Hazard to dazzle in his last game for the club and be instrumental in the victory.
Daniel Sandford – Arsenal
Arsenal’s strike force will be too much for Chelsea. The pressure is off for the Blues after they finished third in the Premier League.
Chelsea and Arsenal make the 2,800-mile trip to Azerbaijan to battle it out for the Europa League final on Wednesday night. The Baku showpiece offers a route into next season's Champions League
talkSPORT writers predict who will win the Europa League final
fussboll.com/2019/05/30/talksport-writers-predict-who-will-win-the-europa-league-final/
Chelsea and Arsenal make the 2,800-mile trip to Azerbaijan to battle it out for the Europa League final on Wednesday night. The Baku showpiece offers a route into next season's Champions League for the Gunners - and both managers will be hoping to end mixed debut seasons in England with a trophy.
Chelsea vs Arsenal: talkSPORT writers predict who will win
Tottenham vs Liverpool: talkSPORT writers predict who will win Champions League final 2 hours ago After the two clubs staged dramatic semi-final comebacks to get to Madrid, both will feel like their name is on the trophy.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: talkSPORT writers predict who will
Chelsea vs Arsenal: talkSPORT writers predict who will win
Malmo vs Chelsea live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary, free stream and confirmed teams for Europa League tie All the information you need to catch the round of 32 first-leg clash in Sweden By Marc
Chelsea Arsenal LIVE - final score: Europa League final
Chelsea face the Gunners in tonight's Europa League final in Baku, and although Chelsea are guaranteed a place in the Champions League, Maurizio Sarri will want to win his first major trophy in
London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal meet in the Europa League final in the Olympic Stadium, Baku. As an all-English final held in Azerbaijan, most of the build-up has surrounded the final's dubious location which has forced fans and players to stay at home.
Malmo vs Chelsea live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary, free
Chelsea and Arsenal make the 2,800-mile trip to Azerbaijan to battle it out for the Europa League final on Wednesday night. The Baku showpiece offers a route into next season's Champions League for the Gunners - and both managers will be hoping to end mixed debut seasons in England with a trophy.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: talkSPORT writers predict who will
Tottenham vs Liverpool: talkSPORT writers predict who will win Champions League final fpnews May 31, 2019 0 Tottenham and Liverpool will battle it out for domestic football's most coveted prize when they meet in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal: UEFA Europa League final prediction
Chelsea vs. Arsenal: UEFA Europa League final prediction, pick, TV channel, live stream, watch online There's plenty on the line, but just a tad more for the Gunners
Europa League Final 2019: Date, Venue, Predictions for
Chelsea will take on Arsenal in an all-English Europa League final after the two Premier Venue, Predictions for Chelsea vs. Arsenal Gill Clark in the Premier League and have one win apiece
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Prediction | Europa League Final Prediction
No comments:
Post a Comment