Chelsea vs Dynamo Kiev
Europa League 2018-19 | Round of 16, first leg
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Date: Thursday, 7 March, 2019
Kick-off: 8:00pm GMT
Chelsea will look to continue their recent upturn in fortunes as they host Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on this evening.
A 6-0 thumping by Manchester City and a listless FA Cup defeat to Manchester United appeared to have Maurizio Sarri on the brink, but, unsavoury Kepa Arrizabalaga sideshow aside, the pressure has begun to ease a little of late.
An improved showing in the EFL Cup final has been followed by successive Premier League London derby wins over Tottenham and Fulham, leaving Chelsea - who boast a game in hand over rivals Manchester United and Arsenal - well positioned in the crowded race for a top-four finish.
Now they turn their attention back to Europe's secondary club competition, having already easily topped Group L and beat Swedish outfit Malmo 5-1 on aggregate.
Standing in the way of a place in the quarter-finals are Dynamo Kiev, who finished ahead of Arsenal's next opposition, Rennes, in Group K before ousting Olympiacos in the round of 32.
The visitors, coached by Alyaksandr Khatskevich, currently sit second in the Ukrainian Premier League after 20 matches, seven points adrift of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Chelsea team news and predicted line-up
Sarri has hinted at making a few changes amid a congested fixture list, though will be wary that the Europa League offers another route to Champions League qualification in the event that Chelsea do not finish in the top four.
The likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud both started - and scored - in the second leg against Malmo and will be hoping to play a prominent role once more here.
Willy Caballero may return in goal after Kepa was restored to the starting XI against Fulham, but midfielders Danny Drinkwater (tendon) and Marco van Ginkel (knee) are out injured.
Chelsea XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Christensen, Emerson, Kovacic, Kante, Barkley, Pedro, Giroud, Willian
Dynamo Kiev are without Spanish striker Fran Sol, who will require surgery on a shoulder injury suffered against FC Desna on Saturday and could miss up to two months of action.
Top scorer Benjamin Verbic is suspended, which could lead to either Sidcley or Heorhiy Tsitaishvili being drafted in on the left wing.
Score prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Dynamo Kiev
Despite a long trip to Ukraine on the horizon, Chelsea would have been reasonably content with their last-16 fate given the other potential dangers - Arsenal, Napoli, Inter Milan, Sevilla and Valencia - that lurked in last month's draw.
Things are beginning to look up for Sarri and a third successive victory will be demanded here. His team should oblige fairly confidently, though you doubt it will be a particularly memorable affair.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Chelsea to win: 2/7
- Dynamo Kiev to win: 12/1
- Draw: 9/2
To qualify
- Chelsea: 1/5
- Dynamo Kiev: 3/1
First goalscorer odds
- Gonzalo Higuain: 3/1
- Eden Hazard: 7/2
- Olivier Giroud: 7/2
- Pedro: 7/2
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The two teams have met twice before, during the group stages of the 2015-16 Champions League.
Following a goalless draw in Kiev in which Chelsea twice hit the woodwork, the Blues won 2-1 on home soil courtesy of Willian's excellent late winner.
Jose Mourinho was sacked just over a month later.
