A semi-final berth awaits the Blues as they gear up to square off against FC Porto this Tuesday after having taken a 2-0 lead on aggregate from the first leg fixture held last week in Seville.
Thomas Tuchel’s men had secured the win last time around courtesy of a fine performance that was capped off with goals from England international duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea further added to their ever-increasing momentum by putting out another impressive display last weekend, this time on the road to Selhurst Park, as Tuchel’s side eased through Crystal Palace with a 4-1 scoreline in their favour.
Tuchel’s hopes of clinching the much-coveted Champions League trophy inside his very first months to the top job at the Bridge would rest heavily on his players downplaying complacency ahead of the forthcoming midweek fixture in European club football.
The Blues have hit their stride ever since the German coach took over from Frank Lampard earlier this year and with top-four hopes in the Premier League standings looking somewhat unsecured following West Ham United and Liverpool’s resurgence, Chelsea would aim for Champions League glory which would ensure their place in the most elite of all competitions for the season to come.
FC Porto proved no match for the west Londoners when the two sides met last week at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium but the former grained ground in a swift manner by handing a 2-0 defeat to Tondela in domestic action.
Sérgio Conceição’s side would be backing themselves of delivering a much-improved showing time this around when facing the Blues and with a spot in the last-four awaiting the Portuguese giants for the first time since their treble-winning heroics back in 2003-04, FC Porto have a lot to play for come Tuesday night in Seville.
WHEN & WHERE?
You shouldn't need anymore #MondayMotivation!#CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/PnE8FAAXpt
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 12, 2021
Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 9 PM GMT
Venue: Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Andres Christensen missed out on the Palace win for the Blues and the Danish defender’s fitness levels are expected to be subject to further assessment ahead of the upcoming match.
In Christensen’s absence, Thomas Tuchel still has a host of centre-back names to field with the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma in the reckoning to claim starting spots.
Timo Werner missed out on the starting eleven last time around following his dismal run of form in front of the goal showing no signs of ending for the best and doubts linger over whether the German would be in the fray to feature for the Blues on Tuesday.
Key Battle
Christian Pulisic vs Moussa Marega
It promises to be a brilliant battle between Pulisic and Marega as both players would be key to their respective sides going ham on the attacking front.
The Chelsea man displayed real zeal over the past weekend with a superb brace against the Eagles and would hope to continue on his rich vein of form when facing Porto up next.
Marega, meanwhile, endured a relatively quiet first-leg showing last week but should he come up with an inspired display this time around, Porto may well have a crucial component on their hands to progress to the semi-finals.
Match Prediction
Seville-bound (again)! ✈️ #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/trSwd8ykRj
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 12, 2021
It remains Chelsea’s match to lose with the west London giants heading into the midweek meeting on the back of convincing displays against Porto and Palace.
Tuchel would be counting on his players to carry on the momentum nearing the end of the 2020-21 season and we predict the Blues to secure another win on the trot, this time in a 3-1 scoreline against Sérgio Conceição’s men.
