Chelsea will host Swiss side Servette in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifiers Playoffs on Thursday, August 22, at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are looking to secure their place in European football for the 2024-25 season after missing out last year, while Servette aims to make a mark against their prestigious opponents.
Chelsea Seek to Repair European Reputation | Home Win = 1.18
Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, have a point to prove after a disappointing 2023-24 season that saw them finish sixth in the Premier League. Although the Blues have started the current Premier League season with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, they will be eager to bounce back and make a strong statement in this playoff tie.
The team has undergone significant changes, with several new signings like Filip Jorgensen, Renato Veiga, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall expected to feature. However, Chelsea will be without key players like Reece James and Raheem Sterling, adding some uncertainty to their lineup.
Despite these challenges, Chelsea’s depth and quality should be sufficient to secure a comfortable victory at home, especially considering their European pedigree and the expectations surrounding them this season.
Servette Face Tough Challenge at Stamford Bridge | Away Win = 15.20
Servette, who finished third in the Swiss Super League last season, enter this tie as clear underdogs. The Swiss side is coming off a massive 7-1 win in the Schweizer Pokal against fifth-tier Signal, which should boost their confidence.
However, their recent form against stronger opposition is concerning, with heavy defeats to Lugano and Basel in the league, as well as a narrow exit from the Europa League against Braga.
Managed by Thomas Haberli, Servette will need to be at their best to stand any chance against a Chelsea side eager to assert dominance. Key players like Steve Rouiller, David Douline, and Enzo Crivelli are expected to start, as Servette hopes to produce a resilient performance in London.
Key Players & Team News:
Chelsea will miss the services of captain Reece James and might also be without Marc Cucurella due to injury. However, new signings are likely to be integrated into the squad, with Maresca keen to build a cohesive unit quickly.
On the other hand, Servette’s lineup will likely see the return of first-team regulars, who were rested in their recent cup match.
Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 8.43
- Servette has just one win from their last five games in all competitions, losing three (3) games (3-1, 0-6, 1-2) and drawing one (0-0). | Main Market: Handicap (Home 0-2) = 2.16
- Chelsea have not won once in their last four matches in all competitions, which includes three (3) friendlies. The Blues have lost three (3) of those four (4) games (2-4, 1-2, 0-2), and drew one (1-1). | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & GG (Yes) = 2.11
- There are over 2.5 goals in three (3) of Chelsea’s last five (5) games in all competitions, while there are over 3.5 goals in three (3) of Servette’s last five (5) games in all competitions. | Specials Market: Home & Over 3.5 = 1.96
You can follow and bet on the UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifiers Playoffs game, Chelsea vs. Servette, on MSport here.
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