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Europa League

Alvaro Morata can boost his confidence with Europa opener

Spanish striker is hungry for goals

Chelsea forward (Alvrao Morata) celebrates with Ross Barkley
Chelsea forward (Alvrao Morata) celebrates with Ross BarkleyCredit: Mike Hewitt

Group L
BT Sport 2, 8pm Thursday

Alvaro Morata is short of confidence but the Chelsea striker may not get a better opportunity to find the net than a home game against MOL Vidi.

Morata, who has scored just once this season, has lost his place in the Chelsea first team and was unable to profit in this competition at PAOK Salonika as Maurizio Sarri's side started their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win.

However, the Spanish striker is once again likely to lead the line and even a makeshift Chelsea side should have little trouble carving out opportunities against the Hungarian champions.

The club formerly known as Videoton beat Dudelange, Ludogorets and Malmo in Champions League qualifying before losing 3-2 on aggregate to AEK Athens and they are ropey on the road.

Vidi were beaten at Genk, Basel and Sporting in their previous group-stage visit in 2012 and have won only three of their last 23 European away fixtures.

Recommendation
A Morata first goalscorer
1pt 15-4 bet365

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Chelsea
Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be ready to return in a changed line-up.

MOL Vidi
Danko Lazovic, who scored 58 goals in 80 matches for Vidi, surprisingly announced his retirement last month.

Key stat
Vidi have won just two of their nine European fixtures this season.


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