Chelsea begin their Europa Conference League group stage campaign with a clash against Gent at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca’s side are searching for a fifth consecutive win in all competitions as momentum builds under the new head coach. Chelsea are the leading scorers in the Premier League this season (15) and have found their attacking groove under Maresca.
The Blues begin their Europa Conference League campaign as overwhelming favourites for the trophy, as Chelsea look to become the first team to win all three current UEFA competitions.
Our #UECL campaign begins this Thursday. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vmmuc0Fa6T
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 30, 2024
Gent finished seventh in the Belgian Pro League last season before winning the division’s Europe play-offs to reach continental competition. They reached the knockout stage play-off round of this competition last season, losing to Israel’s Maccabi Haifa over two legs.
Chelsea vs Gent – Predicted lineup and team news
Chelsea team news
Cole Palmer scored all four goals in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Brighton at the weekend but will play no part in the club’s European Conference League group-stage campaign. Enzo Maresca chose to leave Palmer out of his squad, citing the 22-year-old ‘needs to be protected’ given the current concerns around the congested fixture calendar.
Maresca made 11 changes for the recent Carabao Cup win over Barrow and could do so again here. Reece James is the only player unavailable through injury as the captain continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.
However, Ben Chilwell will also not feature after being omitted from the squad for Europe this season. Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia were also left out, as Chelsea look to manage the work load on the pair after recent injury problems.
Filip Jorgensen will be recalled in goal and will use the clash as a chance to prove himself worthy of the number one position. The summer signing has been designated a cup goalkeeper role this season, though Robert Sanchez’s horror-show against Brighton could lead to a change in status.
Chelsea predicted lineup
Chelsea predicted lineup: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Badiashile, Renato Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
When is Chelsea vs Gent?
Chelsea host Gent in the Europa Conference League on Thursday 3rd October 2024. Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is 20:00 BST.
What TV channel is Chelsea vs Gent on?
The game will be shown live by TNT Sports in the UK.
