Chelsea vs Slavia Prague, Europa League draw: What Maurizio Sarri’s team can expect in the quarter-finals

Slavia Prague finished second in Group C, behind Zenit St Petersburg, and have beaten Genk and five-time Europa League winners Sevilla in the knockout stages

Chelsea were drawn to play Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Blues finished top of Group L, and have eased past Malmo and Dynamo Kiev so far in the knockout stages, beating the Ukrainians 8-0 on aggregate.

Slavia Prague finished second in Group C, behind Zenit St Petersburg, and have beaten Genk and five-time Europa League winners Sevilla in the knockout stages.

The first leg will be played at the Eden Arena on Thursday 11th April, with the second leg taking place a week later at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 18th April.

But what do Chelsea need to know about Slavia Prague?

Key player

Miroslav Stoch: Slavia Prague’s top-scorer this season with 13 goals, Stoch used to play for Chelsea from 2006 to 2010. He only made four appearances before joining Fenerbache, where he was until 2017. The Slovakian international, who has played 57 times for his country, won the FIFA Puskas Award in 2012 for best goal and will be a threat up front alongside Milan Skoda for the Czech side.

Europa League record

Slavia Prague last reached this stage of the competition in 2000, where they lost to fellow quarter-finalists Villarreal. The club’s best European performance was reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 1996, where they lost to Bordeaux, and last season they were knocked out of the Europa League in the group stages. They stunned Sevilla in the last-16, winning 6-5 on aggregate, after drama in extra-time.

Slavia Prague staged a dramatic late win over Sevilla (EPA)

Head-to-head

Chelsea have never played Slavia Prague in any competition.

Domestic form

Slavia Prague are top of the Czech First Division, and are six points clear of second placed Viktoria Plzen, having won all but four of their 24 games. They’re also in the quarter-finals of the Czech Cup, playing MFK Karvina on April 2.

Odds to win

Slavia Prague to win: 40/1

(Betfair)