Chelsea's 2022/23 Champions League campaign had started on a bad note, with the Blues losing to this same Zagreb side, and sealing just a point in their first two games — our worst ever start to the campaign since 1999.
It's a miracle how the Blues have turned things around and are now Group Leaders. A win against Salzburg had made that happen, and the Blues will be looking to cement their Last 16 spot with a win over Dinamo Zagreb tonight.
MATCH SCHEDULE:
Chelsea Football Club vs Dinamo Zagreb
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 2, 2022; 21:00 UK/WAT, 20:00 GMT, 4pm EDT, 1:30 am IST.
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Referee:
François Letexier (on-pitch), Jerome Bisard (VAR).
Forecast:
Rainy night.
WHERE TO WATCH:
On TV: BT Sport 2 (UK), Super Sport Football Plus (Nigeria)
Streaming:
BT Sport Live (UK), Paramount+ (USA), SONY Live (India), DSTV now (Nigeria)
DINAMO ZAGREB TEAM NEWS:
Since beating Chelsea, Dinamo Zagreb have picked up just one point in four games played in the competition, although they still stand the chance of finishing third in the group should they seal a win over Chelsea tonight, and Salzburg lose in Milan. Chelsea should definitely expect a tough tie.
Domestically, they are top of the League despite having one win in their last three games. Zagreb will be without their young defender, Bosko Sûtalo who had been injured even before the first leg with Chelsea.
Chelsea team news:
As confirmed by Graham Potter, the Blues will be without both Mateo Kovacic and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Kovacic ruled out due to Calf issue picked up at Salzburg, while Kepa remains out for 'days' due to foot injury from Brighton in the Premier League.
It's not all good for the Blues in terms of injuries as they have also long been without three key players, Wesley Fofana, Reece James and N'Golo Kanté.
Carney Chukwuemeka was also reported to be training on his own by Graham Potter.
On the brighter side, Kalidou Koulibaly who had missed three games for the Blues was confirmed by Graham Potter as fit, and could get some minutes for the Blues against Zagreb.
Academy star, Eddie Beach was selected as backup for Kepa Arrizabalaga, including third choice goalkeeper, Marcus Bettinelli. Zak Sturge, Dion Rankine and Lewis Hall were also academy names called up to the first team, and trained for the game.
Potter also hinted that deadline day signing, Denis Zakaria could get his debut on Wednesday.
Prediction:
We expect many players to be rested, and fresh names on the team list. The Blues have already qualified and could go into the game without feeling any pressure.
We expect Chelsea to narrowly win by 1-0 against a Zagreb side that will do all it takes to finish third in Group E.
Comments
Post a Comment