FC Astana vs Chelsea prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 15:30.
[p]Clinging on to a place in the qualification places of the UEFA Conference League by virtue of goal difference alone, Astana have a mammoth task to solidify their chances of earning knockout football against the flawless Chelsea. This clash has been the sole issue on the mind of Grigoriy Babayan’s men since the end of the Kazakhstan Premier League earlier this month, with the boss claiming that “the excitement is crazy” despite their double-figure odds to cause an upset.[/p]
[p]Here in Almaty, Astana are unbeaten in Conference League action (W1, D1), and they even ended Vitória’s perfect record in their latest home clash (D 1-1). Doing so against the 2021 Champions League winners Chelsea will be an entirely different level of challenge, yet fans may look back to their only home game against English opponents for confidence, a 2-1 comeback victory against a much-changed Manchester United side in 2019/20. [/p]
[p]Securing passage to the knockout stage with their fourth straight league phase win in the previous round, Chelsea arrive here in fine form as they also appear to be a credible threat at the top end of the Premier League. Victory here will all but secure their place in the top-eight and given that they’ve blown all four of their opponents away by multiple-goal margins, another dominant performance surely wouldn’t surprise many.[/p]
[p]Buoyed by a sensational 4-3 comeback victory over London rivals Tottenham, Enzo Maresca’s men gear up for a much longer trip here – their first to Kazakhstan. No matter the venue, a common theme for Chelsea in this Conference League campaign has been early goals, as they’ve scored six times within the opening 30 minutes across their four games so far. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Astana’s Branimir Kalaica will be primarily concerned with his defensive duties, yet the centre-back has proven crucial by scoring three times across his last three home appearances. Trying to get the better of him may be Chelsea’s JoĂŁo FĂ©lix – four of his five goals since rejoining the club came in this competition, with both scoring appearances seeing him net a brace. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Astana have been ahead by half-time in three of their last four Conference League home games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]