UEFA Europa Conference League favourites Chelsea will aim to secure yet another win, this time against Astana on Thursday.
Chelsea travel to Kazakhstan to face Astana on Thursday, aiming to extend their flawless record in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League. The Blues have already secured at least a last-16 playoff berth but will look to cement a top-eight finish with a victory, while Astana are fighting to remain in contention for the knockout rounds.
Enzo Maresca’s men have been imperious in the Conference League, standing as one of only two teams — alongside Legia Warsaw — to have won all four of their matches. Boasting a staggering 18 goals scored and just three conceded, Chelsea have been the competition’s standout team.
Their European campaign began with emphatic wins over Gent (4-2), Panathinaikos (4-1), and FC Noah (8-0), followed by a professional 2-0 victory against Heidenheim, featuring Christopher Nkunku’s record-breaking goal and a late strike by Mykhailo Mudryk. With six games in the group stage, Chelsea sit atop the 36-team table and can all but guarantee a direct route to the last 16 with another win.
The Blues’ momentum extends beyond European competition. After an early exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Newcastle United, Chelsea have responded with an eight-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Their recent 4-3 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League propelled them to second place in the table, just four points behind leaders Liverpool. Away from home, they have been just as formidable, winning their last four road games, including the thriller at Tottenham.
Astana, participating in the Conference League for the second consecutive season, have endured a mixed campaign. After an opening win against Backa Topola, their form nosedived with back-to-back losses to The New Saints (2-0) and Pafos (1-0), followed by a 1-1 draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes. The late equaliser conceded in their most recent match left Grigory Babayan’s side frustrated but still in the playoff zone, sitting 23rd in the standings on goal difference.
Despite being underdogs, Astana have reasons to remain optimistic. Their home form has been stellar, with a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W11 D2), including four wins and a draw in five Conference League home fixtures. This resilience, coupled with a spirited finish to their domestic season where they narrowly missed the league title, suggests they won’t roll over against Chelsea.
Babayan has acknowledged the anticipation surrounding this encounter, calling it a “crazy” moment for his team. While a victory against Premier League opposition would be a massive upset, their strong home record and fighting spirit make them capable of pulling off a surprise. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Astana
The home side approach their crucial UEFA Europa Conference League encounter against Chelsea with a clean bill of health. Head coach Grigory Babayan has the luxury of a fully fit squad, with no injuries or suspensions affecting his selection. The team has also enjoyed a two-week break from competitive fixtures, ensuring they are well-rested and prepared to face the Premier League giants.
A similar lineup to the one that defeated Dynamo Kyiv is expected to take the field. Aleksa Amanovic, typically a defender, is likely to continue in a makeshift midfield role alongside Maks Ebong, providing stability and experience in the centre of the park. Chinedu Geoffrey, who has been in fine form this season with ten goals to his name, will spearhead the attack as Astana look to exploit their strong home record.
In terms of formation, Babayan is likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Josip Condric occupying the goalkeeper position. Karlo Bartolec will feature as the right-back, balancing his defensive responsibilities with attacking overlaps. Central defence will be marshaled by the pairing of Kipras Kazukolovas and Branimir Kalaica, while Yan Vorogovskiy is expected to line up at left-back, offering defensive solidity and support for forward runs.
The midfield will see Maks Ebong and Aleksa Amanovic forming the defensive pivot, tasked with protecting the backline and linking play with the attacking unit. Marin Tomasov, stationed on the right wing, will bring creativity and pace to the side, while Nazmi Gripshi takes on the central attacking midfield role, orchestrating Astana’s offensive play. On the left wing, Ousmane Camara will look to cut inside and create scoring opportunities. Up front, Chinedu Geoffrey will lead the line, aiming to add to his impressive goal tally this season.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Condric; Bartolec, Kazukolovas, Kalaica, Vorogovskiy; Ebong, Amanovic; Tomasov, Gripshi, Camara; Geoffrey
Chelsea
Chelsea will be without several key players for their trip to Kazakhstan, with a mix of injuries and squad ineligibilities affecting Enzo Maresca’s selection options. Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Ben Chilwell, and Marcus Bettinelli have all been omitted from the club’s UEFA Europa Conference League squad and are therefore unavailable.
Among these, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are also sidelined with injuries, while Reece James remains in the treatment room due to a hamstring issue. Cesare Casadei is suspended following his red card in Chelsea’s win over Heidenheim, adding to Maresca’s selection headaches.
There is also a question mark over Mykhailo Mudryk, who is recovering from an illness and will be assessed closer to kick-off. With these absences in mind, the Chelsea manager is likely to turn to a number of academy players to fill the gaps in his squad.
Enzo Maresca is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, making use of both senior players and emerging academy talents. Filip Jorgensen is set to start between the posts as the goalkeeper.
The backline should see academy graduate Josh Acheampong could line up at right-back, with Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo forming the central defensive pairing. Diego Veiga is expected to occupy the left-back position, offering both defensive cover and attacking support.
The midfield double pivot will likely feature Samuel Rak-Sakyi, who impressed during the campaign, alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, providing balance and control in the center of the park. In the attacking midfield trio, Tyrique George, who made his full debut in the 8-0 win over FC Noah, is set to feature on the right wing.
Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea’s talisman in the competition, will occupy the central attacking midfield role, with Joao Felix positioned on the left wing. Leading the line will be academy striker Roger Guiu, who has shown promise in recent outings.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Nkunku, Felix; Guiu
Key Stats
- Chelsea are one of only two teams in this season’s UEFA Conference League to have won all four of their games so far.
- The Blues have scored a competition-high 18 goals while conceding just three.
- Astana boast an impressive 13-game unbeaten streak at home in all competitions (W11, D2). This includes four wins and one draw across their five home fixtures in this season’s Conference League, including qualifiers.
- The Blues have won all four of their most recent away matches across all competitions, scoring an impressive 12 goals while conceding just five.
- Astana have managed just one win from their last four Conference League fixtures, collecting only four points out of a possible 12.
Player to Watch
Joao Felix
Felix has been a pivotal figure for Chelsea in recent weeks, and all eyes will be on the Portuguese forward as the Blues take on Astana. Renowned for his silky footwork, creative flair, and ability to unlock defences, the former Atletico Madrid forward has been thriving under Enzo Maresca’s system, which allows him to operate freely in advanced positions.
The Portuguese international has been directly involved in five goals during Chelsea’s UEFA Europa Conference League campaign so far, highlighting his influence in the attacking third. His creativity and finishing will be key against Astana’s compact defence.
In the Conference League, Felix has demonstrated his knack for delivering in key moments. His movement between the lines and precision in the final third make him a constant threat, both as a playmaker and a goal-scorer. Against Astana’s disciplined defence, Felix’s ability to exploit spaces and create chances will be crucial.
Chelsea’s reliance on Felix’s vision and technical brilliance is evident, especially with several key players unavailable. Whether it is providing the decisive pass or taking on defenders with his trademark dribbling, 25-year-old has the tools to tilt the match in Chelsea’s favour. If the Blues are to continue their unbeaten run in the competition, he is likely to play a starring role.
Prediction
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
Astana’s impressive home form will make this an intriguing contest, but Chelsea’s quality and depth should ultimately shine through. With Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, and their attacking arsenal in scintillating form, the Blues are likely to dominate possession and capitalise on defensive lapses from the hosts.
Expect Astana to give their fans something to cheer about, but Chelsea’s firepower will be too much for the Kazakh side to handle. The Hard Tackle predicts a run-of-the-mill 3-1 win for Enzo Maresca and his charges.
