Chelsea v Steaua Bucharest Betting Preview
The Blues, with some changes having been made to the starting eleven by Rafa Benitez, took a 1-0 defeat out in Romania in the first leg. It was a deserved defeat as well after a really insipid display. But they should go better back at home and have plenty of confidence after coming back from two goals down at Old Trafford against Man United in the FA Cup on the weekend to earn a tie. It should be all Chelsea in this one.
Chelsea v Steaua Bucharest Betting Odds at online bookmaker BetFred
Chelsea 4/11, Draw 4/1, Steaua Bucharest 7/1
Chelsea v Steaua Bucharest Recommended Bet:
The result in the first leg probably won’t count for much at the end of the day in this one, but Chelsea were woeful in that first leg. Steaua got their tactics right and looked much more sprightly than the Blues. It was the first time that Chelsea had played Bucharest before when they met a week ago, and prior to that they had only faced Romanian opposition once before, and that was against CFR Cluj back in the 2008/09 Champions League. Chelsea won the home game there 2-1. You would fancy with the talent that they have at their disposal, that they will get through this. They are aiming to be just the fourth side ever to lift all three of UEFA’s major club competitions. History has been good to Chelsea after losing the first leg of a knockout tie 1-0 away from home. That has happened three times before to them, and on each occasion they have turned it around.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 10 European matches at Stamford Bridge now, taking eight wins and two draws. They have been strong in front of goal as well, having scored 29 goals in those ten matches, and have conceded just eight. The Blues have not lost any of their last six home games in all competitions now. Oscar has been impressive for the Blues in Europe this season. In nine games this season he has netted six goals, quite a contrast from one in 25 Premier League matches for Chelsea. The Blues are a bit patchy, but their home form should be able to get them through this one. Their opponents, despite having a lead to hold on to, have only won one of their last 23 European away games (not including qualifiers). Of those they have lost fourteen. They lost their last away match against Ajax, but then turned things around magnificently in the second leg, getting through to face Chelsea via the first ever Europa League penalty shootout.
The Romanian side have never managed to win a match in England either. They have had seven previous attempts, losing five and drawing two of those visits. They are currently on a four match losing streak in England. Including the first leg win over Chelsea, Steaua have actually won their last five matches in a row in all competitions and have kept clean sheets in four of them. Raul Rusescu, who struck the penalty in the first leg, has scored six goals in Steaua’s last seven away matches in all competitions. The Romanians are now on a two match winning streak in Europe and they were the only team to make it through to the last sixteen after losing the first leg.
Given Oscar’s good goal scoring form, he could be worth backing at 7/1 at online bookmaker BetFred as First Goalscorer.
Form
Chelsea DLWWLD, Steaua LWWWWW
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