Chelsea will hope to prevent any shocks from FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout tie at Stamford Bridge.
After securing a 2-1 first-leg victory in Denmark, Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night looking to finish the job against FC Copenhagen and book their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The aggregate winners of this tie will face either Molde or Legia Warsaw in the next round.
Having won all six of their league-phase matches, Chelsea extended their perfect record in the Conference League with a narrow 2-1 victory in Denmark last week. Goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernández gave Enzo Maresca’s side a crucial advantage heading into the return leg. However, the Italian manager expressed disappointment over a “sloppy” late goal conceded, which keeps the Danish visitors in the contest.
Chelsea’s defensive resilience was evident over the weekend when they edged Leicester City 1-0 in the Premier League, courtesy of a Marc Cucurella strike. That result extended their winning streak to three games in all competitions, further solidifying their top-four push in the league. They currently sit fourth, just two points above Manchester City, with ten games left in the season.
The Blues have been dominant at home in the Conference League, winning all four matches at Stamford Bridge (including qualifiers) by a combined score of 19-3. More broadly, Chelsea have been extremely difficult to beat on home soil, suffering just one defeat across their last 19 matches at Stamford Bridge (W14 D4) — a 2-1 loss to Fulham on Boxing Day.
Before a huge Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday, Chelsea will aim to wrap up their European task efficiently and progress to the quarter-finals of a major UEFA competition for the 15th time in their history.
FC Copenhagen need to overturn a one-goal deficit if they are to avoid a repeat of their last-16 exit in their previous Conference League appearance in 2021/22. Their head coach, Jacob Neestrup, has acknowledged the tough task ahead, stating that his team will “need to do everything we can to create a little miracle.”
The Danish giants have shown their ability to come from behind in Europe already this season. In the playoff round, they overturned a 1-0 first-leg loss to Heidenheim with a 3-1 victory in extra time in the return fixture.
Impressively, Copenhagen have been one of the strongest away teams in the UEFA Europa Conference League, losing just one of their 14 away matches (W9 D4 L1) since the competition was introduced four years ago. They have scored two or more goals in nine of those away matches, proving they are more than capable of getting a result on the road.
However, history is not on Copenhagen’s side — no Danish team has ever beaten Chelsea (D2 L5), and Copenhagen have never won an away match against an English opponent. Their only two wins over English teams came against Manchester United in Denmark, meaning they will need to create history to progress.
Their recent form has been inconsistent, as they have won just two of their last seven matches in 90 minutes across all competitions. Back-to-back Superliga draws against AaB (0-0) and SønderjyskE (1-1) last week saw them surrender top spot in the Danish league to FC Midtjylland, adding further pressure to their European challenge. 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 will be without Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu, as all three remain sidelined due to hamstring injuries. Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk is unavailable due to suspension, limiting Enzo Maresca’s attacking options.
There are also concerns over Reece James, who missed the weekend win over Leicester City due to illness, and Malo Gusto, who is nursing an ankle injury. Both players will be assessed ahead of the game to determine their availability.
Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s key creative force, was feeling unwell in the days leading up to the Leicester match, but he is expected to be fit to start in an advanced midfield role. Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George will be pushing for a recall, having started in the first leg against Copenhagen.
Last week, Shumaira Mheuka made history by becoming the youngest player to start for Chelsea in a major European competition at just 17 years and 137 days old. With Chelsea’s injury concerns in attack, he may lead the line once again, although Christopher Nkunku is also an option to start on the flank or as a central forward.
Chelsea are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Robert Sanchez starting in goal. The back four will feature Trevoh Chalobah at right-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile forming the central defensive partnership, while Malo Gusto could slot in at left-back if fit.
In midfield, Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo will operate as the double pivot, controlling possession and breaking up play. Further forward, Tyrique George is likely to start on the right flank, with Cole Palmer playing as the attacking midfielder and Christopher Nkunku occupying the left wing.
Leading the line, Shumaira Mheuka is expected to start as Chelsea’s centre-forward, offering youthful energy and movement in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Gusto; Fernandez, Caicedo; George, Palmer, Nkunku; Mheuka
FC Copenhagen
Copenhagen remain without Andreas Cornelius, Lukas Lerager, and Oliver Hojer, who are all dealing with unspecified injuries. Additionally, Nicolai Boilesen continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Kevin Diks is sidelined with an ankle issue.
There had been hopes of a return for Roony Bardghji, but Thursday’s match will come too soon for the young talent, as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term ACL injury.
Thomas Delaney is a doubt due to illness and will be assessed before kickoff. Meanwhile, Marcos Lopez is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards. His absence is likely to see Birger Meling step in at left-back or left wing-back, depending on how FC Copenhagen set up tactically.
At the back, Gabriel Pereira, who scored in the first leg, will remain a key presence in the heart of the defense. In attack, 18-year-old Amin Chiakha is expected to lead the line again, with Viktor Claesson and Elias Achouri providing attacking support from the flanks.
FC Copenhagen are likely to set up in a 5-2-3 formation, with Diant Ramaj in goal. The defensive line will consist of Giorgi Gocholeishvili at right wing-back, Munashe Garananga and Gabriel Pereira as the central defensive pairing, and Pantelis Hatzidiakos adding extra defensive stability. On the left, Birger Meling is expected to start in place of the suspended Marcos López.
In midfield, William Clem and Victor Froholdt will operate as the double pivot, looking to shield the defense and provide a foundation for attacking transitions. Further forward, Viktor Claesson and Elias Achouri will take up roles on the flanks, supporting Amin Chiakha, who is expected to lead the attack as Copenhagen look to overturn their 2-1 first-leg deficit.
Probable Lineup (5-2-3): Ramaj; Gocholeishvili, Garananga, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling; Clem, Froholdt; Claesson, Chiakha, Achouri
Key Stats
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Chelsea have won all four of their home matches in the UEFA Europa Conference League (including qualifiers), boasting a combined score of 19-3 at Stamford Bridge.
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No Danish team has ever beaten Chelsea (D2 L5), and FC Copenhagen have never won an away game against an English opponent. Their only two wins against English teams both came at home against Manchester United.
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The Blues are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of a major UEFA competition for the 15th time in their history. A win here would continue their perfect record in this season’s Conference League, having won all seven matches so far.
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Since the competition’s inception four years ago, FC Copenhagen have lost just one of their 14 away matches in the Conference League (W9 D4 L1), scoring two or more goals in nine of those games.
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Chelsea have lost just one of their last 19 home matches across all competitions (W14 D4 L1), with that solitary defeat coming against Fulham on Boxing Day. Their strong home form gives them a significant edge heading into this tie.
Player to Watch
Cole Palmer
Palmer has been Chelsea’s standout of late, but this season he has struggled to replicate his best form. Despite feeling unwell before the weekend’s Premier League match, Palmer is expected to start in an advanced midfield role, where his vision, technical ability, and goalscoring threat will be vital in unlocking FC Copenhagen’s defense.
Palmer has been Chelsea’s main creative force, regularly producing key passes, dribbles, and dangerous set-piece deliveries. His composure in front of goal has also been crucial, and he will be eager to make up for his rare penalty miss against Leicester City by getting on the scoresheet in this crucial European clash.
With Mykhailo Mudryk suspended and Chelsea missing several attacking players, Palmer will have even more responsibility to dictate Chelsea’s attacking play. His ability to find space between the lines and link up with Christopher Nkunku and Tyrique George could be the difference as Chelsea look to break down Copenhagen’s well-organised defense.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 FC Copenhagen (Chelsea win 4-1 on aggregate)
Chelsea’s form at Stamford Bridge, superior squad quality, and previous dominance over Danish teams make them clear favorites to progress. Copenhagen’s strong away record in the UEFA Europa Conference League suggests they will pose a threat, but history is against them in England.
Expect Chelsea to control possession, exploit their home advantage, and extend their winning run in the Europa Conference League to reach the quarter-finals comfortably. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Enzo Maresca and his charges, with the result taking the home side to the quarter-finals.
