Curtain raisers in the 2020-2021 European competition clash heads in bid to claim the UEFA Super Cup this week. Champions League winners Chelsea travel to Belfast to take on Europa League winners Villarreal. The match schedules for Wednesday at Windsor Park, with kickoff at 10 pm.
Thomas Tuchel overcame favourites Manchester City in the finals to claim the highly coveted trophy. On the other hand, Unai Emery did the impossible against Manchester United on penalties to snatch the trophy.
Chelsea’s road to the finals was not an easy patch having to edge out Sevilla, Porto, Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Furthermore, the West London rivals travelled to Estadio do Dragao as underdogs against Pep Guardiola.
An injury to Kevin de Bruyne, followed by a 42nd-minute equalizer by Kai Havertz, settled the contest. The win broke over nine years since their last time lifting the trophy.
Furthermore, the win came rewarded with a contract extension for Thomas Tuchel till 2024. In addition, the Blue are making moves in the transfer window with the return of Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge.
On the other hand, Unai Emery overcame his failures for the Gunners to lift the Europa League with the Yellow Submarines. The road to the finals was difficult, but dumping out Arsenal proved a moment of revenge for uneventful sacking. In addition, the Yellow Submarines qualified for a spot in the Champions League.
Chelsea vs Villarreal Head to Head
Both sides are yet to face each other this marking their first encounter. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham
- Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea
- Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
- Man City 0-1 Chelsea
- Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
Away
- Leeds United 2-2 Villarreal
- Leicester City 3-2 Villarreal
- Marseille 2-1 Villarreal
- Villarreal 0-0 Levante
- Villarreal 2-2 Olympique Lyonnais
Chelsea Team News
Some faces from the Champions League finals remain a major doubt including Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Thiago Silva. However, new faces available for selection include Timoue Bakayoko, Ross Barkley, Davide Zappacosta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah.
Villarreal Team News
Unai Emery built a strong backline with Juan Foyth and Aissa Mandi joining on permanent deals. Pau Torres remains in the books after getting heavily linked with Manchester United before signing Raphael Varane. Fer Nino is under heavy fire after a careless tackle cost Wesley Fofana a fibula structure.
Prediction and Odds
Chelsea cannot underwrite their opponents given their history with English oppositions last campaign.
- Chelsea Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- Double Chance
