Conference League | League Stage

Dec 19, 2024 at 8pm UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelseavs.Shamrock

Match preview

Clear favourites to win the Conference this season, Chelsea have backed up their pre-tournament tag with five wins from five on the continent so far.

That they have done so with a 'B' side is all the more impressive given that manager Enzo Maresca has guided them to the top of the table without the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson or Moises Caicedo.

The Blues remain the only side in the competition with a 100% record, which means they are assured of a direct place in the last 16, with the top spot all to play for.

One point is enough to see them top the 36-team standings, unless Vitoria Guimaraes beat Fiorentina by 10 goals - an unlikely scenario.

Maresca will have been pleased with their comfortable position heading into the 7,000km round trip to Almaty on matchday five, as he was able to field an even more inexperienced side for the brutal away day.

Despite the unfamiliar line-up, Chelsea won 3-1 and a 2-1 win over Brentford at the weekend means they have won all seven games since returning from the international break in November.

Now, facing an Irish side in Europe for the first time, they will be confident of inflicting another defeat on the Shamrock.

The League of Ireland outfit have faced English opposition on four previous occasions, losing both group games to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2011-12 Europa League and going down 9-2 on aggregate to Manchester United in the 1957-58 European Cup.

This is only their third appearance in a UEFA group stage and under Stephen Bradley they have proved they belong at this level, currently sitting in the top eight after a fine 3-0 win over Borac Banja Luka last time out.

That took Rovers' tally to 11 points and they remain unbeaten in the league ahead of a daunting away trip to the competition's favourites.

Interestingly, this will be their third meeting with a British club this season, having beaten both Larne and TNS earlier in the league phase, while draws with European heavyweights APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna have added to their excellent points tally.

However, with ten teams within touching distance of Shamrock, Bradley's men will know they need a point here to maintain their position in the top eight, which would see them through to the last 16.

A six-match unbeaten run away from home should give them plenty of confidence and they will be looking to capitalise on the fact that Chelsea are already through and may be taking their foot off the pedal.

Recent Performance

Chelsea Conference League form:LWWWWW

Chelsea form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Shamrock Rovers Conference League form:DWWDW

Shamrock Rovers form (all competitions):WWWWDW

Team News

The footballing world was stunned by the news that Mykhaylo Mudryk failed a drugs test in November, meaning he faces a lengthy ban and will not be playing for the foreseeable future.

Chelsea's move to within two points of Liverpool at the weekend means they will go top of the table if they beat Everton in Sunday's early kick-off, so expect more heavy rotation.

Mudryk was one of the Conference League's regulars, but he could see his place taken by one of the impressive youngsters who shone against Astana last week, such as Marc Guiu, who netted twice in Kazakhstan.

Josh Acheampong also caught the eye and could be back in contention after Benoit Badiashile's setback, meaning Tosin Adarabioyo will be needed this weekend.

Chelsea will have to keep an eye on Conference League top scorer Johnny Kenny, as the Celtic loanee has scored five goals for Shamrock in the league phase, including two in the win over Borac.

Kenny became the first Irishman to score that many goals in a European season since Robbie Keane in 2006-07, but this could be his last game for the club, with Celtic expected to recall him in January after the end of the Irish League in November.

The visitors have just one player missing through injury, veteran midfielder Rory Gaffney, and Bradley is expected to name a similar side to the one that beat Borac.

Possible starting lineup

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Vale, Disasi, Acheampong, Cucurella; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Nkunku, Joao Felix; Marc Guiu

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pohls; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Honohan, O'Neill, Poom, Watts, Burns; Farrugia, Kenny