Chelsea are in a spot of bother having collected just one point from two games in Champions League Group E, though the Blues have a chance to wrestle back some control against leaders AC Milan at Stamford Bridge this evening. Can new Chelsea boss Graham Potter mastermind a crucial victory over the Rossoneri?
We’ve put together a stats pack for this evening’s crucial contest below, packed with useful info on corners, cards, goals, assists, form, xG and more from the sides’ domestic campaigns. Hopefully, the stats prove useful for your bet builders later. Good luck!
Predicted Lineups
Graham Potter deployed Chelsea with a back four in each of his first two games at the helm, so expect to see the same set-up in defence this evening.
Thiago Silva and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are in line to face their old club. Edouard Mendy trained this week as did Marc Cucurella, though both might have to settle for a place on the bench.
Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Alessandro Florenzi are out injured for Milan, while Alexis Saelemaekers, Davide Calabria and Simon Kjaer are also doubtful having come off against Empoli at the weekend.
Former Chelsea pair Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud will be out to make an impact on their return to Stamford Bridge.
Team Stats
Chelsea’s Premier League performances this season have been underwhelming enough to trigger an early change in the dugout and the Blues’ goal difference (0) after seven matches helps to highlight their big issues in the final third.
The Londoners have been hitting just 3.43 shots on target p/90 domestically, while their xG for (1.64 p/90) is also on the low side. Chelsea have scored just once in two Champions League group fixtures so far.
AC Milan have been picking up just over 2.00 points per game in Serie A so far, though their 10.62 shots conceded per 90 minutes figure shows that they have been allowing opponents to rack up too many attempts.
Milan’s domestic games have also been card-laden (2.76 for, 3.38 against p/90) and they’ve already collected five cautions in just two Champions League runouts this term.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Armando Broja’s shooting stats in the Premier League look impressive at first glance, though all five of the Chelsea academy graduate’s appearances have come off the bench and he isn’t expected to start this evening.
Pierre-Emerick Aubamyang made a good impact on his league debut for the club, while Raheem Sterling (2.09 shots p/90) and Kai Havertz (1.76) have offered the most threat over a longer period.
Interestingly, Mason Mount has started both of the Blues’ Champions League games so far, where he has averaged 3.5 attempts per contest.
Chelsea transfer target Rafael Leao (1.86 SOT p/90) has been in blistering form in Serie A this season and he has the shooting stats to back that up. He’ll be keen to impress his suitors this evening.
Olivier Giroud (4.52 shots p/90) has been just as impactful in Italy, while the French veteran has also managed to clock 2.5 shots per game in the Champions League. Midfielder Sandro Tonali (1.43 shots p/90) also enjoys a pop from distance.
Player Goals and assists
Raheem Sterling has started his Chelsea career well, notching four goal contributions (3A, 1A) in seven Premier League appearances and the 27-year-old is the only Blues player to have netted in the Champions League so far.
Elsewhere, pickings are slim and seven Chelsea players have chipped in with a single goal each. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang registered on his league debut for the club at Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Rafael Leao has plundered a superb four goals and four assists in seven Serie A appearances this season and the 23-year-old has already set up two goals in the Champions League.
Olivier Giroud scored from the spot against Dinamo Zagreb on matchday two and the 36-year-old has hit the net four times in Serie A. Ante Rebic has notched three goals and one assist in just three league appearances this term, though he has yet to play a minute of Champions League football.
Chelsea Cards
Kai Havertz has picked up three bookings in seven Premier League appearances this season, though we’re advising you to ignore the fiery German attacker on this occasion.
Conor Gallagher could start this evening following his goal-scoring impact off the bench against Palace at the weekend and the relatively inexperienced midfielder has already been carded three times this term. He represents a good card option in the middle of the pitch.
Reece James has been cautioned three times in England and once on the continent already this term and the 22-year-old is also one to watch this evening.
Ismael Bennacer is Milan’s most combative midfielder and he has the bruises to show for it (fouled 1.88 times per 90). Keep an eye on the Algerian if he comes up against Conor Gallagher this evening.
Olivier Giroud has been fouled 1.67 times per 90 in Serie A this season and he should come up in direct opposition against compatriot Wesley Fofana later today. Fofana hasn’t been booked for Chelsea yet, though he committed three fouls on his Champions League debut against Dinamo Zagreb.
Rafael Leão has been fouled just 0.7 times p/90 in the UCL, though his marker Reece James could have a tough time against his pace.
Match-Ups to watch
Conor Gallagher vs Ismael Bennacer
Wesley Fofana vs Olivier Giroud
Reece James vs Rafael Leao
AC Milan Cards
Sandro Tonali (2 cards, 1.43 fouls p/90) has had an edge to his game in Serie A this season and he could be tasked with keeping an eye on Chelsea’s runners from midfield this evening.
Winger Rade Krunic could be in line to start at Stamford Bridge and the 28-year-old has been booked twice in three starts in Italy.
Ex-Chelsea starlet Fikayo Tomori’s record in Serie A has been clean, though he has given away two fouls per 90 in the Champions League so far, collecting a booking along the way.
Ben Chilwell (2.50) tends to have his advances down the left checked by overzealous markers and the England international could face a no-nonsense opponent in Rade Krunic later today.
Mason Mount (fouled 2.11 times per 90) has been an influential figure in the Champions League in recent seasons and he could come in for some special treatment from Sandro Tonali.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doesn’t feature on Chelsea’s list of most fouled players domestically, but tonight, he meets former Blue Fikayo Tomori, whose performances in Europe have been aggressive so far. Tomori will also be desperate to prove his mettle on his old stomping ground.
Match-Ups to watch
Rade Krunic vs Ben Chilwell
Sandro Tonali vs Mason Mount
Fikayo Tomori vs Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
_____
Hopefully the stats provided can help you out when you’re placing your bet builders tonight. I can’t wait to see your bet slips.
If you are having a bet then make sure to keep the stakes low and stay in control at all times.
