Chelsea vs Gent prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 19:00.
[p]Despite being used to the glamour of the UEFA’s more premier competitions, Chelsea will be eager for their first ever appearance in the UEFA Conference League, especially after missing out on continental football altogether last term. Participation in Europe’s third-tier competition also offers the Blues a chance at making history, as should they eventually lift the trophy, they’ll become the first-ever team to win all three of UEFA’s club competitions. [/p]
[p]Enzo Maresca’s men are the favourites to do just that, but being pushed all the way in their qualifying tie against Swiss side Servette, eventually winning 3-2 on aggregate, shows it won’t be easy by any means. The Stamford Bridge faithful will at least be expecting a strong start to the league phase with their side currently boasting a four-game winning streak, while they’ve lost just one of their last 14 home matches (W11, D2).[/p]
[p]Belgian side Gent will be aiming to ruffle some feathers in West London, as the competition ever-presents return to the Conference League for a fourth consecutive season. They’ve proven they can be a real contender on any European night too, making it into the knockout rounds in each of those campaigns. [/p]
[p]The Buffalos recently proved their calibre on the continental circuit once again, winning five of their six qualifying matches to reach the league phase (D1). That puts them in good stead heading into their first competitive meeting with Chelsea, although they’re no strangers to London clubs having played them six times across matches against Tottenham and West Ham (W1, D3, L2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho has made a flying start to life in London, assisting a goal on all three of his appearances for the Blues, with two of them arriving before half-time. Fellow Englishman Max Dean has had a bright start to life in Gent, and he’ll be looking to make his presence known early since nine of his last 15 goalscoring outings saw him net the match opener.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: All five of Chelsea’s prior wins against Belgian sides were accompanied by a clean sheet (D1, L2).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou [/i][/p]