Chelsea embark on their European campaign with a UEFA Conference League play-off against Servette on Thursday.
It's the first leg of their play-off round, and manager Enzo Maresca will be aiming for a straightforward win after a disappointing start to the Premier League season on Sunday, where the Blues fell 2-0 to Manchester City.
The Blues are the clear favorites to take a lead into next week's second leg in Geneva. If they emerge victorious, they will move on to the new 36-team group stage, where each team competes against six different opponents. The top eight teams will automatically progress to the round of 16.
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The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
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This UEFA Europa Conference League clash takes place at the Stamford Bridge in London, England and kicks off on Thursday, August 22 at 8:00 p.m. local time (BST).
Here's how that time translates to North American time zones:
Chelsea are expected to make several changes from the lineup that lost to Manchester City, with Reece James likely sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Marc Cucurella may be a slight concern after he was substituted in the final minutes of the loss to Man City due to a possible knee issue.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca has also left Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell out of his squad to face Servette in their Europa Conference League play-off, with the former seeking clarity on his future at the club after he was unexpectedly dropped from the squad for their opening game of the season.
Filip Jorgensen, Pedro Neto, Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are in line for potential first starts, while young talents like Tyrique George will be eager to make an appearance.
Cole Palmer, who made 25 appearances for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during the 2023/24 season, scored 19 goals, including five in nine cup matches.
Chelsea possible XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Jorgensen (GK) — Gusto, Badiashile, Veiga, Cucurella — Fernandez, Lavia — Palmer, Dewsbury-Hall, Neto — Guiu.
Injuries: James (hamstring), Cucurella (hamstring), Chilwell (illness), Fofana (unknown)
Suspensions: N/A
The visitors will be without the services of Victory Beniangba, but Servette should handle the Nigerian striker's absence just fine. Over the summer, they bolstered their attack by signing Julian Von Moos, Sofyane Bouzamoucha and Usman Simbakol as free agents.
Chelsea fans might not recognize many names in Servette's squad, but Swiss international Dereck Kutesa will aim to cause problems from the wings. Von Moos, fresh off a cup hat-trick against minnows Signal, adds firepower, while former France youth international Enzo Crivelli is expected to lead the line.
Servette possible XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Frick — Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou — Douline, Ondoua — Stevanovic, Antunes, Kutesa — Crivelli.
Injuries: Victory Beniangba (foot)
Suspensions: N/A
Chelsea managed ten shots against reigning champions Man City in their Premier League opener, and with an impressive nine-match unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge—including eight wins—before that defeat, they should have little trouble dispatching their visitors in their own backyard.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Servette
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Abhinav Sharma is a Content Producer for The Sporting News' India edition.
