Chelsea vs Sparta Prague Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Chelsea welcome Sparta Prague to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa League last 32 clash.

The Blues hold a 1-0 advantage heading into the game after securing a vital away victory last week in the Czech Republic thanks to Oscar’s late strike and are now red-hot favourites to reach the last 16.

Interim coach Rafa Benitez has confirmed he’ll take the opportunity to rotate his squad with Sunday’s trip to the Etihad to face Premier League champions Manchester City in mind.

Team News

Benitez has confirmed he’ll rest midfielder Frank Lampard and defender Branislav Ivanovic for the game with Cesar Azpilicueta and John Obi Mikel likely to come in.

Mikel and fellow Nigerian international Victor Moses are back in contention after returning from their exploits at the African Cup of Nations. Striker Demba Ba is ineligible having already represented Newcastle in Europe this season so Fernando Torres will start up front.

Captain John Terry may be given the nod at the back and Ryan Bertrand may come in for Ashley Cole at left back. Chelsea have no fresh injury worries meaning Oriol Romeu is their only long-term absentee.

Sparta will be without former Blues midfielder Jiri Jarosik for the game after he was ruled out with injury while Josef Husbauer also misses out through illness.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Chelsea should finish the job tonight and see-off Sparta without any real problems to secure a place in the last 16.The Czech outfit were no match for the Blues at home last week so I can’t see it being any different at the Bridge this tie around. Chelsea 2-0 Sparta

What would be your starting eleven and what’s your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.

13 Comments

1. 

   emmanuel

   February 21, 2013 at 2:11 pm

   I remain ablues til i die

   Reply
2. 

   Jokey

   February 21, 2013 at 3:19 pm

   Thats good

   Reply
3. 

   Destiny

   February 21, 2013 at 3:45 pm

   Mid-field master is back.well done Mr. Mikel

   Reply
4. 

   olukunle olalekan olufemi

   February 21, 2013 at 4:01 pm

   The sky is always blue. Blues 4 life.

   Reply
5. 

   Adeprosper

   February 21, 2013 at 4:14 pm

   Chelsea2 spata 0

   Reply
6. 

   Emmanuel

   February 21, 2013 at 4:21 pm

   Cech,azpil,terry,luiz,bertrand,mikel,ramires,moses,oscar,hazard,torres

   Reply
7. 

   madu ignatius

   February 21, 2013 at 4:33 pm

   That selection nd 4:2:3:1 formation is fantastic .Come on Blues : 4-0. Scoreline .

   Reply
8. 

   Francis

   February 21, 2013 at 4:34 pm

   I bluez fan chelsea 5-1 sparta. CECH, AZPILLICUETA, CAHILL, TERRY, BETRAND, MIKEL, RAMIRES, MOSES, OSCAR, HAZARD & TORRES

   Reply
9. 

   Adenaf

   February 21, 2013 at 4:36 pm

   Blues ganna win tonight match with 3goals to nil….

   Reply
10. 

    Gullinho

    February 21, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    It’s going to be chelsea 3 1 sparta.

    Reply
11. 

    Sy.vokal

    February 21, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    Up chelsea 4life chelsea is going to win by 3:0 down up bluezzz 4real

    Reply
12. 

    Proffessor of Philisophy

    February 21, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    I will use Sparta to set a very big EXAMPLE tonight nonsense. CHELSEA6-0SPARTA.

    Reply
13. 

    truevine

    February 21, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    I don’t have to worry. Who is Sparta when the sky is always blue. Ch 3 Sp 0

    Reply