Chelsea travel to Sweden to face Djurgarden in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League semi-final first leg clash at 3Arena. With the visitors’ impeccable away form in the competition, they come into this tie as favourites.
Djurgarden come into this stage off the back of a 1-0 home win over Oster in the Allsvenskan. The result means they are now unbeaten in the last three games, though, they have lost five of the last 10 outings in all competitions.
However, that win was also the first in the last five home matches, suffering three defeats in that run. Jani Honkavaara's team are in the semi-finals of the Europa League thanks to a 4-2 aggregate victory over Rapid Vienna in the previous round.
Chelsea head into this game in a solid form, unbeaten in eight of the last 10 games in all competitions. They claimed a 1-0 home victory over Everton in a Premier League fixture last weekend to maintain their push for a top five finish.
Widely considered favourites for the Conference League, Chelsea have bested all their opponents in the competition and claimed a 4-2 aggregate victory over Legia Warsaw in the previous round. Enzo Maresca's men have done their best work on the road in the competition, winning their last five away matches.
How the bookies view it: Chelsea overwhelming favourites
Chelsea have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/3 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Djurgarden are considered outsiders at home at 13/2 with BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 4/1 for a draw.
Head to head: No previous meeting
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Players to watch: Fast rising George
Chelsea youngster Tyrique George is fast rising through the ranks for the Blues and often impresses whenever called upon. He has scored in his last two away matches in all competitions and could be worth keeping an eye on at 9/4 on BoyleSports.
Tobias Gulliksen is Djurgarden top scorer in the Conference League with four goals and will be the one to watch for the hosts. Having netted a brace in his last outing in the competition, he is worth considering at 5/1 with BoyleSports to score anytime.
Probable Line-ups
Djurgarden will be without Patric Aslund, Oskar Fallenius, Piotr Johansson and Malkolm Nilsson due to several knocks. However, Gulliksen, Tokmac Nguen and Santeri Haarala are expected to start.
Westley Fofona, Malo Gusto and Marc Guiu are unavailable for selection due to injury. However, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and George are expected to start.
Djurgarden: Rinne, Stahl, Une Larsson, Danielson, Kosugi; Stensson, Findell, Harala, Gulliksen, Nguen, Priske
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella, James, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in four of Chelsea's last six Conference League matches and a repeat is priced at 20/23 by BoyleSports. The Blues have earned a win and over 2.5 goals in four of their last five away matches in the competition and a similar outcome can be considered at 20/23 with BoyleSports.
Chelsea have won by a minimum of two goals in four of their last five Conference League away matches and a -1 handicap could be on the cards at 10/11 with BoyleSports.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Djurgarden and Chelsea will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Djurgarden vs Chelsea prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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