NEW GROUND will be broken in this Europa Conference League match on Thursday night, as it will be the first-ever meeting between Chelsea and Bundesliga outfit Heidenheim. Here, we preview the clash from the Voith-Arena on Thursday, November 28th.
How the bookies view it: Chelsea odds on
Chelsea have made light work of everything they have faced so far in this season’s Europa Conference League going three wins from three. They are 2/5 odds-on favourites to make it four from four as they travel to Germany to face Heidenheim. The German outfit are big 7/1 underdogs and struggling for form, they may be outclassed.
Recent head-to-head: First Heidenheim vs Chelsea meeting
The two clubs have never played competitively before.
Players to watch: Nkunku keen to stake a claim
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has looked good in front of goal this season, but he has been struggling for playing time in the Premier League. He’ll likely get his chance to shine on Thursday night and has a history in Germany, having played for RB Leipzig. It could be a good stage for him to push for a Premier League start on the weekend if he adds to this season's six-goal European haul.
The other selection to watch is Joao Felix who had scored four times in three European appearances for the Blues in this campaign. He did get a rare Premier League start on the weekend, so whether he goes from the start remains to be seen. Heidneham have Maximilian Breunig and Paul Wanner as joint top scorers in Europe this season with three goals each.
Predicted Lineups
Heidenheim were dealt a major blow with the injury of Marvin Pieringer on the weekend in league action, who was stretchered off. Chelsea have a huge squad and will likely make wholesale changes from their Premier League team on the weekend, which means Nkunku, Felix and Mudryk are ones to watch.
Heidenheim: Muller; Traore, Manika, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Dorsch, Maloney, Schoppner; Conteh, Honsak, Wanner
Chelsea: Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Caicedo, George, Nkunku, Felix, Mudryk; Guiu
Anything else catches the eye?
Heidenheim have been in the doldrums for a while, having gone winless in their last seven matches in all competitions outside the Europa Conference League. In it, however, they have done very well, winning three from three, just like Chelsea have. This is their debut European campaign and so far including qualifiers, they are five wins from five played.
But this on paper is easily their toughest game of the campaign so far. Heidneham have only conceded a single goal in Europe this season, the second-best record in the first phase. The Blues have lost six of their previous 12 away games in Germany, and the most recent one of those was in 2023 at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Heidenheim are two points out of the relegation spots in the Bundesliga, losing five of their last six domestic fixtures (D1). Even a much-changed Chelsea with little more than an average record in Germany should be cruising this one.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Heidenheim and Chelsea will be played on Nov 28, 2024 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Heidenheim vs Chelsea prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
