Chelsea and Djurgardens will go head-to-head in the Europa Conference League semi-final 2nd leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, with the Blues already having one foot in the final.
Enzo Maresca's side claimed a dominant 4-1 win in the first leg thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson (2), before a fantastic performance in the Premier League on Sunday saw them earn a 3-1 win over champions Liverpool. Djurgardens on the other hand responded to their first leg defeat with a 1-1 draw against AIK.
Both teams are also dealing with some injury concerns ahead of the game leaving the managers with some decisions to make, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the sides to line up.
Chelsea Team News
Nkunku unavailable
Christopher Nkunku in action for Chelsea
France international Christopher Nkunku is expected to miss the game with a knock once again, while Marc Guiu could make a return to the squad after months out with a hamstring problem. That should allow youngster Tyrique Geroge to start up front once again.
Wesley Fofana is out for the season but is ineligible anyway, while Mykhailo Mudryk continues to be suspended pending an outcome of his doping investigation.
Chelsea Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Marc Guiu
Omari Kellyman
Christopher Nkunku
Wesley Fofana
Mykhailo Mudryk
Maresca Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca shared an update on the squad ahead of the game.
"We don’t have any new injuries. "This is good for us. Everyone is fit and Marc Guiu could even be involved in tomorrow’s squad. We are not sure yet, we will make a decision on him, but he is getting closer.
"Maybe it’s better for Marc to have a few more days of training, but he is very close to being back with us. That will be very good news for us and for Marc."
Chelsea Predicted XI
George to start
Tyrique George
Chelsea Predicted XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Gusto; Dewsbury-Hall, James; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; George.
Chelsea Predicted Substitutes: Bergstrom (GK), Curd (GK), Chalobah (DEF), Cucurella (DEF), Colwill (DEF), Caicedo (MID), Enzo (MID), Walsh (MID), Amougou (MID), Neto (FWD), Mheuka (FWD).
Maresca is likely to continue with his routine of rotating the team in this competition, and that should allow youngsters Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George to start in the semi-final.
£390,000-a-week experienced trio Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto should provide quality depth on the substitutes bench in case of an emergency too.
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Djurdgardens Team News
Huge injury problems
Djurgardens
The hosts are expected to be without the injured trio of Malkolm Nilsson Safqvist, Rasmus Schuller, Patric Aslund, Oskar Fallenius and Nino Zugelj for the clash, while several first-team players are also not registered for European competition including first-choice goalkeeper Filip Manojlovic.
Goalkeeper Jacob Rinne should return to the starting XI as a result following the first leg.
Djurgardens Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Malkolm Nilsson Safqvist
Rasmus Schuller
Patric Aslund
Oskar Fallenius
Nino Zugelj
Filip Manojlovic
Zakaria Sawo
Matias Siltanen
Albin Ekdal
Honkavaara Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Honkavaara shared an update on the squad ahead of the game.
Djurgardens Predicted XI
Djurgardens (1)
Djurgardens Predicted XI: Rinne; Stahl, Une Larsson, Danielson, Kosugi; Stensson, Findell; Harala, Gulliksen, Nguen; Priske.
Djurgardens Predicted Substitutes: Croon (GK), Manneh (DEF), Tenho (DEF), Bergh (DEF), Mulugeta (MID), Flyger (FWD).
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