The 2018/19 UEFA Europa League has reached the semi-final stage and on Thursday night we have a meeting between Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea in Germany.
The match will be played at the Commerzbank-Arena and this is the first leg of the tie, with the second to come at Stamford Bridge next week.
Eintracht Frankfurt have been enjoying a good season and currently sit in 4th place in the Bundesliga. That is the final Champions League qualifying spot but they face stiff competition from the teams below them.
On the weekend, Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Hertha Berlin and that was their second draw in succession. Prior to that they picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Wolfsburg and those results have given the teams below them some hope.
Their only win in their last five games has come in the Europa League and it was a 2-0 victory at home against Benfica. It was the perfect result for Eintracht Frankfurt, who came into the match 4-2 down from the first leg and they went through on away goals.
Trends show Eintracht Frankfurt have been in good form in the Europa League and have lost only one of their last sixteen matches in the competition, a run which stretches back to 2013. They have won nine and drawn two of their last eleven Europa League home games and have kept a clean sheet in four of the last five.
Chelsea make the short trip to Frankfurt having picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in the Premier League. The Blues are battling for a Champions League place and currently have the 4th position under their control.
However, they have won only one of their last four games in all competitions and that was the 3-2 home success against Slavia Prague. Prior to that they lost 2-0 at Liverpool and were held at home by Burnley in the Premier League.
Trends show Chelsea are unbeaten in their last fifteen Europa League matches and have yet to taste defeat in the tournament this season. Their away form is excellent and they have won seven and drawn one of their last eight away Europa League matches.
They have scored in each of their last nine away Europa League games, including 2 or more goals in four of the last five.
Team news and Eintracht Frankfurt have Evan Ndicka returning from a ban but now Ante Rebic is suspended. Mijat Gacinovic is doubtful while Sebastien Halle is out, meaning a possible place up-front for Goncalo Paciencia.
Chelsea will be without central defender Antonio Rudiger who is injured and that means Andreas Christensen will join David Luiz in central defence. Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Ross Barkley will hope to start in midfield and Olivier Giroud may get the nod up-front.
Eintracht Frankfurt have been strong at home in the Europa League this season but this will be their toughest test to date. Chelsea have the attacking talent to score a goal and we could see a draw, with both teams scoring.