Chelsea will hope to continue their perfect run in the UEFA Europa Conference League when they take on Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night.
Chelsea aim to complete a flawless league phase campaign in the Conference League as they host Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. With both teams showcasing strong defensive records, this encounter will test Shamrock Rovers’ resilience against the tournament’s standout favourite.
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have dominated the Conference League with five wins from five, maintaining a 100% record while rotating heavily. Their ability to excel with a “B” team has been particularly impressive, allowing key players like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Moises Caicedo to remain rested.
Chelsea’s 3-1 victory against Astana on matchday five highlighted their depth, as Maresca opted for an inexperienced squad for the brutal 7,000km trip. That win, combined with their recent 2-1 triumph over Brentford in the Premier League, extended Chelsea’s post-November international break form to seven consecutive victories across all competitions.
With progression to the Last 16 already secured, Chelsea only need a point to confirm their place as group leaders, barring an improbable 10-goal win for Vitoria Guimaraes over Fiorentina. Facing an Irish opponent for the first time in European competition, the Blues are overwhelming favourites to add another three points and finish the group stage with perfection.
Shamrock Rovers enter this fixture as underdogs but have proven themselves a formidable opponent in the Conference League this season. Under manager Stephen Bradley, the League of Ireland champions remain unbeaten in the competition, securing a commendable 3-0 win over Borac Banja Luka last time out.
Rovers’ European journey has been impressive, featuring victories over British sides Larne and TNS earlier in the league phase. Notable draws against seasoned clubs like APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna have helped the Irish side accumulate 11 points, placing them in the top eight of the standings.
However, Shamrock are under pressure, with several teams lurking close behind in the race for direct progression to the Last 16. To solidify their position, they need at least a point here, which will demand a disciplined performance at Stamford Bridge.
Encouragingly, the visitors are unbeaten in their last six away matches, a run that will give them confidence as they prepare to face one of Europe’s heavyweights. 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
Chelsea
Chelsea were rocked by the news that Mykhailo Mudryk recently failed a drugs test, leading to a lengthy suspension that will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future. This development is a significant blow, as Mudryk had been a regular in Chelsea’s Conference League lineup.
With a Premier League clash against Everton on the horizon — a game that could see Chelsea temporarily leapfrog Liverpool to the top of the table — Enzo Maresca is expected to heavily rotate his squad for this fixture.
Benoit Badiashile will miss out due to a setback, leaving Tosin Adarabioyo to step up in the league match at the weekend. In light of this, young defender Josh Acheampong, who impressed against Astana last week, could feature again. Similarly, youngster Marc Guiu, who scored twice in Kazakhstan, is likely to replace Mudryk in the starting XI.
Maresca is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation on the night. Filip Jorgensen will start in goal, offering a reliable presence between the sticks. In defence, Harvey Vale will feature at right-back, with Axel Disasi partnering with academy prospect Josh Acheampong at centre-back. On the left flank, Marc Cucurella provides defensive stability and support in attack.
The double pivot in midfield will include Cesare Casadei and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who will balance defensive duties with forward distribution. In the attacking midfield trio, Tyrique George will operate on the right wing, with Christopher Nkunku playing centrally as the creative playmaker, and Joao Felix occupying the left-wing role.
Leading the line will be Marc Guiu, the talented young striker who showcased his finishing ability with a brace against Astana last week.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Vale, Disasi, Acheampong, Cucurella; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Nkunku, Felix; Guiu
Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers will look to their in-form striker Johnny Kenny, who is currently joint-top scorer in the Conference League with five goals. The Celtic loanee has been in outstanding form, scoring twice in their crucial 3-0 win over Borac.
Kenny’s tally makes him the first Irish player to score as many goals in a European season since Robbie Keane in 2006/07. However, this match could mark his final appearance for the club, with Celtic expected to recall him in January following the end of the League of Ireland season in November.
The visitors have a nearly full-strength squad available, with the only absentee being veteran midfielder Rory Gaffney, who is ruled out due to injury. Manager Stephen Bradley is expected to stick with a similar lineup to the one that comfortably beat Borac, as the Rovers look to cement their place in the top eight of the standings.
Shamrock Rovers are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, aiming to stay compact defensively while using their wing-backs to create width and provide service to the front two. Leon-Maurice Pohls will start in goal, commanding the backline. The central defensive trio will feature Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary, and Lee Grace, who will aim to stay organised against Chelsea’s attacking threats.
In midfield, the wing-back positions will be occupied by Josh Honohan on the right and Darragh Burns on the left, both tasked with providing width while tracking back defensively. The central midfield trio will see Gary O’Neill, Markus Poom, and Dylan Watts operating as the engine room, with O’Neill expected to sit deeper to shield the defence, while Poom and Watts look to dictate play and support attacks.
Up front, Johnny Kenny will lead the line alongside Neil Farrugia. Kenny’s ability to find space and finish clinically will be vital to Shamrock Rovers’ chances, as he seeks to continue his stellar European form.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Pohls; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Honohan, O’Neill, Poom, Watts, Burns; Farrugia, Kenny
Key Stats
- Chelsea are the only team in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League with a 100% record, winning all five of their matches so far. A win or draw in this fixture will ensure they top the group and advance directly to the last 16.
- Shamrock Rovers’ striker Johnny Kenny is the joint-top scorer in the Conference League with 5 goals. He is the first Irish player to score as many goals in a European season since Robbie Keane in the 2006/07 campaign.
- The Blues boast one of the best defensive records in the competition, conceding only four goals in five matches. Only Legia Warsaw have conceded fewer goals so far in the group stage.
- Both teams are yet to face defeat in the UEFA Conference League this season.
- Chelsea are the top scorers in the competition this season with 21 goals across five matches.
Player to Watch
Marc Guiu
The 18-year-old forward showcased his predatory instincts by scoring two goals in Chelsea’s recent 3-1 victory against Astana, underlining his sharpness and composure in front of goal.
Guiu’s combination of movement, strength, and finishing makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. He thrives on making intelligent runs behind defenders and has shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time. With Mykhailo Mudryk unavailable after his recent controversy, Guiu will likely be tasked with leading the line once again, and this match represents another big opportunity for him to impress Enzo Maresca.
Facing a defensively organised Shamrock Rovers side, Guiu’s ability to exploit gaps and convert chances will be crucial. If Chelsea are to maintain their perfect record in the Europa Conference League, Marc Guiu could be the one to provide the clinical edge in attack. Keep an eye on him as he looks to continue his breakout campaign and further cement his place in Chelsea’s senior setup.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Shamrock Rovers
This fixture pits Chelsea’s depth and attacking quality against Shamrock Rovers’ defensive organization and road resilience. While Shamrock have the motivation to secure a vital result, the home side’s firepower and home advantage will likely prove too much for the Irish side to handle.
Chelsea’s depth and tactical flexibility under Enzo Maresca should see them ease to victory while maintaining their perfect record. Expect Shamrock Rovers to put up a fight, but the gap in quality will likely tell by the final whistle. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Maresca and his charges.