_large.png)
Chelsea travel to Switzerland to face Servette in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff tie on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the Stade de Genève.
Holding a two-goal lead from the first leg, the Blues are in a strong position to secure their place in the group stage of the competition. Servette, meanwhile, will be looking to overcome the deficit on home soil and cause an upset.
Servette Hope for a Comeback | Home Win = 4.63
Despite a spirited performance in the first leg, Servette fell to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. The Swiss side created numerous opportunities, outshooting Chelsea 22-14, but failed to convert their chances. With their home crowd behind them, Servette will need to be more clinical if they are to overturn the two-goal deficit.
Head coach Thomas Haberli has insisted that his team won't give up, although he admitted that overcoming Chelsea's quality will be a significant challenge. The Maroons have struggled recently, winless in all their last five (5) games including that 2-0 loss to Chelsea.
Despite these setbacks, Servette did not play a game this past weekend and that rest over the past week could work in their favour, providing them with the energy needed to mount a comeback.
Chelsea Look to Secure Group Stage Spot | Away Win = 1.72
Chelsea head into this match with a comfortable 2-0 lead, thanks to second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke in the first leg. Enzo Maresca's side is coming off a commanding 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, highlighting their attacking prowess.
The Blues have won their last three away games and will look to extend this run in Switzerland. Maresca is expected to rotate his squad, giving opportunities to players like Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Filip Jorgensen.
With several players rested from the weekend's Premier League action, Chelsea’s depth should give them the edge to manage the game effectively and secure their spot in the group stage of the Conference League.
Key Players & Team News:
Players like Enzo Crivelli and Dereck Kutesa, who have five goals in nine games this season for the Swiss side in all competitions, will be crucial in the attack as they try to complete what would be a “legendary comeback”.
Servette will likely stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation used in the first leg, with Enzo Crivelli or Jeremy Guillemenot leading the line. Victory Beniangba remains out due to injury, limiting Haberli's options up front.
Theo Magnin and Alexis Antunes are pushing for starts, as Servette looks for the right combination to break down Chelsea’s defence. Chelsea are set to be without captain Reece James due to a hamstring injury. Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, and Raheem Sterling have also been left out of the Conference League squad.
Midfield options may be impacted, with Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo carrying injuries. Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, who were instrumental in the first-leg victory, are expected to feature again, providing the creative spark.
Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.28
Servette has conceded a combined eleven (11) goals in four (4) of their last five (5) games in all competitions (2-0, 1-7, 1-2, 0-6). | Main Market: Handicap (1:0 Away) = 2.65
Chelsea have won all their last two games with an aggregate score of 8-2, which includes a 2-0 win over their opponents last Thursday. | Specials Market: Away & Over 2.5 Goals = 2.10
Servette netted in only two (2) of their last five (5) games in all competitions while Chelsea have scored in four (4) of their last five (5) games in all competitions. | Specials Market: Away & Under 3.5 Goals = 2.90
Follow and bet on the UEFA Europa Conference League game, Servette vs. Chelsea, on MSport here.
