Chelsea's quest for Conference League glory continues on Thursday when they travel to Parken Stadium to take on Danish side Copenhagen in the first leg of their round of 16 clash.
The home side defeated Bundesliga club Heidenheim 4-3 on aggregate in their round of 16 playoff tie after finishing 18th in the league phase with eight points, whereas the Blues finished first with 18 points from a possible 18.
Match preview
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Copenhagen lost the first leg 2-1 against Heidenheim on February 13 but advanced following their 3-1 win in the second leg after extra time on February 20, and they should be praised for creating six big chances compared to their German opponents' two.
The hosts are currently first in the Danish top flight with 40 points and have qualified for the championship playoffs, and they will be hoping to better their third-placed finish in 2023-24.
Boss Jacob Neestrup's side have faced Chelsea twice in their history, though it was the English club that emerged as 2-0 victors over two legs in their 2011 Champions League round of 16 clash.
The Lions will be confident ahead of Thursday's matchup given they have triumphed in three and drawn one of their last four games, and have only lost two of their past seven European outings, winning on three occasions.
Copenhagen's record at Parken Stadium is excellent considering they have been defeated in just one of their nine most recent matches at home, achieving victory in six of those fixtures.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea were the only team to collect maximum points in the league phase, and they were also the highest scorers having found the back of the net on 26 occasions.
Enzo Maresca's side scored four or more goals in four of their six league phase matches, though it should be noted that they only kept two clean sheets in those six fixtures.
The Blues are in contention for a Champions League qualification spot given they are fifth in the Premier League with 46 points, though just six points separate third-placed Nottingham Forest and 10th-placed Aston Villa.
Chelsea beat Southampton 4-0 in their most recent outing on February 25, and it was the first time they prevented their opponents from scoring in eight games.
Maresca's team are in poor form, with the club having succumbed to defeat in three of their past four in all competitions, and have in fact won just four of their last 13.
The visitors are winless in seven matches away from home – losing five – and have been beaten in each of their last four on the road by a cumulative score of 10-3.
Team News
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Copenhagen come into the clash with fitness doubts about forwards Andreas Cornelius and Roony Bardghji, while winger Jordan Larsson is set to be unavailable until the middle of April.
Expect Giorgi Gocholeishvili, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Elias Achouri to be selected in supportive roles behind striker Amin Chiakha.
Midfielders William Clem and Victor Froholdt both started their side's second-leg victory against Heidenheim in a double pivot, and they are likely to retain their places given Lukas Lerager and Oliver Hojer may not make the squad.
As for Chelsea, they are set to be without numerous stars, including centre-backs Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, as well as goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina.
Perhaps Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill will be stationed in front of Filip Jorgensen, while Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez could play in midfield.
However, striker Nicolas Jackson and winger Noni Madueke have both been ruled out, and their absences may mean Pedro Neto starts up front on Thursday, flanked by Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku.
Copenhagen possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Diks, Pereira, Garananga, Meling; Clem, Froholdt; Gocholeishvili, Elyounoussi, Achouri; Chiakha
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto
We say: Copenhagen 1-3 Chelsea
Copenhagen will feel they can threaten Chelsea's backline given the visitors' poor form and defensive frailty.
Regardless of their struggles of late, the Blues should be seen as strong favourites considering the quality at Maresca's disposal, and it would be hugely surprising if the hosts managed to beat Chelsea.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
