Chelsea travel to Germany to face FC Heidenheim in the Europa Conference League tonight.
Both teams go into Thursday’s night battle with perfect records after collecting maximum points from their three European games.
The Blues top the league phase on goal difference, after netting a staggering 16 goals in three matches.
Pedro Neto is expected to be rested after the Chelsea winger missed the weekend win at Leicester with a knock. Malo Gusto was spotted in first-team training during the week following his absence but fellow right-back Reece James is set for another spell out with a hamstring issue.
The hosts have suffered a big injury blow as it is estimated that top goalscorer Marvin Pieringer will be out until February. The German came off in the first half of their game against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend with an Achilles tendon injury.
FC Heidenheim vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news
Form
FC Heidenheim: LLWLL
The German side have had a meteoric rise in recent years and are competing in European competition for the first time in their history.
After promotion into the top division of German football in 2023, Heidenheim ended their maiden Bundesliga campaign in eighth place to secure qualification for Europe.
Frank Schmidt’s team have won all three of their Europa Conference League games having overcome Hearts, Pafos and Olimpija Ljubljana.
Howevr, their domestic form has dipped from last season’s success. Heidenheim are 15th in the Bundesliga, just two points above the relegation spots.
In fact, their only victory in their last five games in all competitions was their 2-0 win over Hearts in this competition. The other four games ended in defeat, including a 5-2 hammering at German champions Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.
Chelsea: LDWDW
Chelsea have imposed themselves in this competition so far and deservedly sit at the summit of the table.
They have ceased past all three opponents, putting four goals past Gent and Panathinaikos. Last time out in Europe, Chelsea thrashed Armenian outfit FC Noah 8-0 at Stamford Bridge to set a Europa Conference League record scoreline. Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku both recorded braces in a dominant display.
Tosin got his first #CFC goal in our last #UECL outing. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/yLtlXWvAQf
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 27, 2024
At the weekend, Enzo Maresca got one over his former side as his players held on to beat Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
Last Meeting: N/A
Thursday night’s match will be the first time the two sides have competed against each other.
Predicted Lineups
FC Heidenheim: Müller, Traoré, Mainka, Siersleben,Theuerkauf; Dorsch, Maloney, Schöppner, Scienza, Wanner, Honsak.
Chelsea: Jorgensen; Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
Up the Chels! 📋 pic.twitter.com/cUNZ87Ozrl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 27, 2024
Who is the referee?
Dutch referee Serdar Gözübüyük will be the match official. He will be assisted by Erwin Zeinstra and Johan Balder while Joey Kooij will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Rob Dieperink and he will be assisted by Erwin Blank.
What channel will FC Heidenheim vs Chelsea be on?
FC Heidenheim vs Chelsea will be televised on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at the Voith-Arena will be at 17:45 GMT on Thursday 28th November 2024.
Odds
FC Heidenheim – 11/2
Draw – 10/3
Chelsea – 12/25
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