Preview: Sevilla vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

Chelsea take on Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday evening in a shootout for top spot in Champions League Group E.

Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 with two games to go, meaning that all focus is now on securing a favourable tie in the first knockout stage.

Match preview

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Chelsea were made to work hard by Rennes last time out in Europe, but a late goal from substitute Olivier Giroud saw them pick up a 2-1 win and with it a place in the last 16.

The Blues have now won three in a row in the competition since drawing 0-0 with Sevilla on the opening matchday - not since 2012 have they won four straight Champions League games.

That was the season Chelsea lifted the trophy for the only time with a famous win over Bayern Munich in the final, while not since 2015-16 have they finished top of a group.

It has been 11 years since Sevilla last topped a Champions League group, meanwhile, but that will be the reward if one of these sides can pick up a victory on Wednesday night.

Los Nervionenses have also followed up their matchday one draw at Stamford Bridge with three straight wins, beating Rennes 1-0 and Krasnodar 3-2 and 2-1 home and away respectively.

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Sevilla, more accustomed to competing in and winning the Europa League, are out to go unbeaten in their first five games in UEFA's flagship competition for the first time.

Julen Lopetegui 's men certainly enter the game in good form thanks to five wins in a row in all competitions, most recently beating Huesca 1-0 to climb up to fifth in La Liga.

Chelsea's six game winning streak was brought to an end by Tottenham Hotspur in a 0-0 draw on Sunday, meanwhile, but the Blues are now unbeaten in 11 since September.

However, the English club have won only one of their last 10 games against Spanish opponents in the Champions League and are winless in six since beating Atletico Madrid in 2017.

Sevilla, by comparison, are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with English sides in major European competition (W3 D4) since a 2-0 loss to Leicester City in 2016-17.

Sevilla Champions League form: DWWW

Sevilla form (all competitions): LWWWWW

Chelsea Champions League form: DWWW

Chelsea form (all competitions): WWWWWD

Team News

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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is expected to field his strongest available side, which could mean an unchanged XI being named on the back of the Tottenham draw.

Christian Pulisic made his return from injury at the weekend and is in contention to start this one, however, while Kai Havertz is another who could do with some minutes.

Up top, Giroud will be disappointed if he is once again overlooked for a starting spot, but his inclusion may well depend on whether Timo Werner is part of the starting lineup.

Former RB Leipzig attacker Werner has been involved in nine goals in nine Champions League away games (eight goals, one assist).

As for Sevilla, goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik 's recent return has coincided with the loss of Bono, who recently tested positive for coronavirus.

Karim Rekik has been filling in for the injured Sergio Escudero at left-back, while Suso is another who is carrying a knock.

Lopetegui has plenty of other options in attack, with the likes of Oliver Torres, Luuk de Jong, Lucas Ocampos, Oscar Rodriguez, Oussama Idrissi and Youssef En-Nesyri all available.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Vaclik; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Rekik; Jordan, Gudelj, Rakitic; Torres, En-Nesyri, Ocampos

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Mendy; James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Havertz, Kante, Mount; Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic

We say: Sevilla 1-1 Chelsea

Sevilla and Chelsea may have achieved their aim of reaching the last 16 at the earliest possible opportunity, but both sides will now be keen to secure top spot.

The hosts have won five games in a row, but Chelsea are also in good form and are unbeaten in nine group stage matches in the Champions League, so we are backing a draw.

Top betting tip

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