Heidenheim vs Chelsea prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-27 17:45.
[p]Two of the six sides with 100% records so far in the UEFA Conference League – but with markedly different histories in European football – meet on matchday four as Heidenheim host Chelsea. With victories over Olimpija Ljubljana, Pafos and Hearts, conceding just one goal in the process, Heidenheim are enjoying their maiden European adventure despite a wretched start on the domestic front.[/p]
[p]The win over Hearts is their only success in six matches across all competitions (D1, L4), with the latest defeat in that sequence seeing Frank Schmidt’s men squander a two-goal lead in a 5-2 thrashing against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Confidence is unlikely to be high as a result, with Heidenheim drifting ever closer to the Bundesliga relegation zone.[/p]
[p]Using Europe as a distraction may not be so successful with Chelsea their next opponents. The Blues were victorious over Leicester at the weekend to move into the Premier League top-three, just a point adrift of defending champions Manchester City. That only emphasises the positive work Enzo Maresca has done since arriving in the summer, with his side losing just twice since the start of September (W9, D4).[/p]
[p]Chelsea have appeared untouchable in the Conference League too, smashing the record for the biggest win in competition history when demolishing Noah 8-0 last time out. Unsurprisingly then, they sit at the summit of the league phase, but any complacency could be punished here given that the Blues are winless in their last three matches in Germany (D1, L2), not winning there since the 2014/15 season.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Mathias Honsak has directly contributed to five goals since signing for Heidenheim in the summer (G2, A3), three of which came in his last five matches (G1, A2). Christopher Nkunku has scored in all five of Chelsea’s Conference League matches so far this term, with five of his six strikes coming after half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Heidenheim have failed to score in three of their last five home matches.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]