Chelsea return to action against Servette in the second leg of their Conference League play-off.
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Servette vs Chelsea odds
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Servette vs Chelsea predictions
How Chelsea could do with a few quiet weeks. The hope is that, with the transfer window set to close on Friday, calm will soon descend on Stamford Bridge.
Or perhaps not. The blue part of west London has been a turbulent, noisy environment ever since Todd Boehly and his consortium bought the club in 2022.
A 12th-place finish in season one was improved upon last time out, as the Blues finished sixth in the Premier League and consequently qualified for the Conference League.
But there are still huge question marks over this ownership group, not least when it comes to transfer dealings. Enzo Maresca has come out fighting of late, but deep down the Italian must know his squad is too bloated to be functional.
Perhaps Chelsea will have successfully shifted some of the deadwood by transfer deadline day, but right now there are still too many players on the books – regardless of where they are training.
With so much going on off the field, it was vital that Chelsea got people talking about football again. That is precisely what they did at the weekend, thrashing Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2 at Molineux.
It was an empathic victory which gave Maresca plenty to be pleased about. Chelsea’s attack really clicked in the second half, as Cole Palmer and hat-trick hero Noni Madueke linked up with aplomb.
Needless to say, the Premier League is Chelsea’s priority this term. If we assume Manchester City and Arsenal will finish in the top two, the two remaining Champions League berths are up for grabs.
In fact, there could be three qualification spots available depending on how well English clubs perform in continental competition this term.
Even so, Chelsea should take the Conference League seriously. This is a club that was defined by trophies during the Roman Abramovich era, since when Chelsea have not collected a single gong.
First up: securing a place in the league phase by protecting or extending their 2-0 aggregate advantage over Servette on Thursday.
Servette vs Chelsea betting tips
Chelsea can book their place in the Conference League with another victory over Servette.
Chelsea to win and both teams to score – 2/1 (Paddy Power)
Chelsea did not have everything their way in the first leg of this play-off. In fact, the 2-0 scoreline made their victory look more routine than it actually was.
Servette actually had more shots at Stamford Bridge as a new-look Chelsea side struggled to find its rhythm. The hosts did grow stronger as the game wore on, but Servette looked pretty comfortable in the first half.
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The Swiss side have a mountain to climb from here, though, with Chelsea’s two-goal advantage putting them in pole position to advance to the league phase.
Maresca’s men are capable of picking Servette off in transition, much as they did to Wolves in the second half of Sunday’s clash.
Chelsea’s backline remains unconvincing, but they should come out on top for a third win on the bounce.
⚽ Tip Chelsea to win and both teams to score at 2/1 with Paddy Power ⚽
Chelsea to score in both halves – 13/10 (Paddy Power)
Chelsea host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. That is a match they would expect to win, but Maresca may hold one or two players back nevertheless.
It would indeed be a surprise were Chelsea to name their first-choice XI against Servette, but at the same time a 2-0 lead is not significant enough for the Blues to put their feet up just yet.
Maresca may name a reasonably strong team from the start with a view to taking off some of his key men if Chelsea are in a commanding position in the second half.
As everyone knows, the Blues are not short of options. There will be plenty of attacking quality on the pitch whichever side Maresca chooses.
Chelsea can find the back of the net either side of the interval on Thursday.
⚽ Select Chelsea to score in both halves at 13/10 with Paddy Power ⚽
Christopher Nkunku to score any time – 7/5 (Paddy Power)
Christopher Nkunku did not start against Wolves last time out, but his replacement Mykhailo Mudryk did not exactly impress Maresca, who hooked him at half-time because he was “not happy” with the Ukraine international.
Nkunku could therefore come back into the team at the Stade de Geneve and, given the competition for places, he will be keen to catch his manager’s eye.
Rather than operating from the left as he did against Manchester City on the opening weekend, Nkunku would prefer to play just off the frontman.
That was the role of Cole Palmer last term, but the England international should be given a rest on Thursday.
That means we may see Nkunku in his preferred position for the first time under Maresca.
⚽ Go for Christopher Nkunku to score any time at 7/5 with Paddy Power ⚽
📺 How to watch Servette vs Chelsea
- Location: Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland.
- Date and time: Thursday 29th August, 7.30pm.
- How to watch: ChelseaTV.
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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