Chelsea begin their first continental campaign this season as they head to Geneva aiming to secure a place in the 2024/25 Conference League.
The Blues are in a strong position in their play-offs against Swiss side Servette. Although Enzo Maresca's side struggled for large parts of the first leg last Thursday in west London, second half goals from Christopher Nkunku and the hot Noni Madueke meant they took a 2-0 lead into the second leg.
Chelsea will be buoyed by their 6-2 win over Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday. Madueke grabbed it again as he scored a quick hat-trick in the second half.
Servette, the third most successful club in Switzerland, are aiming to rise at home to advance to the league stage. They gave Chelsea a few things to think about in the first leg and Thursday's hosts will feel they are not out of the game, especially if the Blues are rocked by the first goal. Servette currently sit seventh in the Swiss Super League at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Here it is 90 min Chelsea travel guide to Switzerland.
Servette vs Chelsea H2H Record (All Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
A napkin |
Chelsea |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 2-0 Servette – 22/08/24 |
Wolves 2-6 Chelsea – 25/08/24 |
|
Signal 1-7 Servette – 18/08/24 |
Chelsea 2-0 Servette – 22/08/24 |
|
Servette 1-2 Braga – 15/08/24 |
Chelsea 0-2 Man City – 18/08/24 |
|
Servette 0-6 Basel – 11/08/24 |
Chelsea 1-1 Inter – 11/08/24 |
|
Braga 0-0 Servette – 08/08/24 |
Real Madrid 2-1 Chelsea – 07/08/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
chelsea.com (subscription required) |
|
United States |
chelsea.com (subscription required) |
|
Canada |
chelsea.com (subscription required) |
The aptly named Victory Beniangba continues to struggle with a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of action for the start of 2024/25 and the striker is unlikely to feature again on Thursday.
When his team was beaten at Stamford Bridge, Servette did not disappoint himself and manager Thomas Haberli may name the same team to start the game.
Dereck Kutesa is likely to keep his place at left back despite speculation surrounding his future in Geneva.
Servette predicted the schedule vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Douline, Ondoua; Stevanovic, Antunes, Kutesa; Crivelli.
Maresca made nine changes to the team that was beaten by Manchester City in the first leg of this play-off game and similar changes are expected in the return game in Geneva.
The Italian is still unable to call up injured captain Reece James, while midfielders Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are unlikely to be at risk if both are knocked up. Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are absent from Maresca's Conference League squad.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall will be pushing for first in the middle of the park, as will Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea predicted to face Servette (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Mr.
Chelsea were low and uninspiring in the first leg with Maresca messing with his staff, but they were ruthless at Molineux on Sunday. However, questions remain over the Blues' defence.
The visitors are not a side that can dominate competitions away from home at the moment. Servette will be happy with the ball and an early goal could completely change the complexion of the tie.
Chelsea have the talent to enter the league stage comfortably but the hosts could make this difficult for the Premier League side. It could be an uncomfortable night at times for Maresca's side, but they will improve.
Prediction: Servette 1-2 Chelsea (Chelsea won 4-1 on aggregate)
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