Chelsea is riding high after a blowout victory against Brentford and will be looking to continue their strong play as the club hosts Sparta Prague Thursday in their Europa League tie round of 32 second-leg match.
The club will be without Frank Lampard for the match, as interim manager Rafael Benitez decided to rest the star, delaying his chance at netting his 200th goal for Chelsea. The 34-year-old Blues star has been hot lately, scoring five goals over the past six games. Benitez also is planning to sit Branislav Ivanovic due to the strain of playing in so many matches over the past two months. Lampard had a goal against Brentford on Sunday and will be looking for more as the season wears on.
"It's important to be fit, it's important to train properly and it's important to adapt so I have to manage the squad," Benitez said to ESPN.com. "If I say this it will sound like, you know, 'he is making excuses' but we've played so many games - just three months and 25 games."
Lampard is within striking distance of the all-time club record of 202 goals and Benitez said that he expects the Blues star to pass the total before his contract is up at the end of the season. The midfielder will sit for the match against Sparta, which is coming after a one-goal lead from Chelsea after the first leg last week.
"Lampard will not be in the squad because we have to manage it a little bit," Benitez said. "Everybody knows that he is close. I am sure they will try to help if they have a chance. If we have a penalty, he can take it and things like this."
One reason for the rest is an upcoming match with Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League as well as a match in the FA Cup. Chelsea has gone undefeated in nine games on European soil and will be looking for a boost from Oscar, who scored the winning goal in the first leg last week after coming into the match in the 82nd minute.
Oscar showed his athleticism and speed on the play, as he moved through the first line of defense while swapping passes with Eden Hazard to put the goal in the net.
The last time the two teams met was in the group stage of the Champions League in the 2003-2004 season when Chelsea took four points over the two games. Sparta will receive a boost from Jiri Jarosik, who is expected to return after missing the first leg with an injury.
Chelsea has won three straight matches in all competitions, last losing to Newcastle United 3-2 on Feb. 2in Premier League play. Oscar is leading the club in scoring during this run, while Hazard is tops in assists. Vaclav Kadlec is tops for Sparta in scoring, while a number of players are tied for the lead in assists.
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Probable starters:
Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand; David Luiz, Mikel; Ramires, Hazard, Moses; Torres.
Sparta Prague (4-5-1; probable): Vaclik; Zapotocny, Hybs, Svejdik, Pamic; Vacha, Matejovsky, Jarosik, Krejci; Lafata, Kweuke.