Chelsea's Cole Palmer.
Chelsea and Copenhagen will go head-to-head in the second leg of their Europa Conference League last 16 tie at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, with the Blues having one foot in the quarter-finals already.
Enzo Maresca's side claimed a 2-1 win in the first leg thanks to goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez, before picking up a 1-0 win in the Premier League against Leicester City this past weekend. Copenhagen on the other hand were held to a 1-1 draw in their domestic league against Sonderjyske in their last outing.
Both teams have some selection decisions to make ahead of the game, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the teams to line up.
Chelsea Team News
James should return
Chelsea Aston Villa Reece James
Chelsea Aston Villa Reece James
Maresca is likely to welcome back his captain to the side after missing the weekend clash with illness, while Cole Palmer should be fine despite playing through his own illness issues.
Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Omari Kellyman, Malo Gusto, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk all remain sidelined, although the French full-back faces a late check. Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are both ineligible.
||
Chelsea Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Cole Palmer
Reece James
Malo Gusto
Marc Guiu
Nicolas Jackson
Noni Madueke
Omari Kellyman
Mykhailo Mudryk
Maresca Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca shared an update on the status of his squad.
Chelsea Predicted XI
Palmer to start
Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca
Chelsea Predicted XI: Jorgensen; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Gusto; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Palmer, Nkunku; Mheuka.
Chelsea Predicted Substitutes: Bergstrom (GK), Sanchez (GK), Acheampong (DEF), James (DEF), Cucurella (DEF), Colwill (DEF), Amougou (MID), Fernandez (MID), Neto (FWD), Sancho (FWD).
After Sanchez was handed the nod in the Premier League, Jorgensen should come back into the nets for this game. Maresca is keen for Palmer to play his way back into form so he will start after missing a penalty against Leicester.
Big-earners Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be on the bench in case of an emergency should the game not be going their way.
Copenhagen Team News
Bardghji still unavailable
Diogo Goncalves with FC Copenhagen in 2023
Diogo Goncalves with FC Copenhagen in 2023
Copenhagen will be looking for a historic win at Stamford Bridge but they will have to do it without their star forward Roony Bardghji, who is still recovering from an ACL injury.
Marcos Lopez will be suspended after being booked in the first-leg, while Thomas Delaney will be a late check after dealing with a bout of illness himself. Andreas Cornelius, Lukas Lerager, Oliver Hojer, Kevin Diks and Nicolai Boilesen are all ruled out.
Neestrup Drops Team News Update
Neestrup shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
Copenhagen Predicted XI
Jacob Neestrup
Jacob Neestrup
Copenhagen Predicted XI: Ramaj; Gocholeishvili, Garananga, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling; Clem, Froholdt; Claesson, Chiakha, Achouri.
Copenhagen Predicted Substitutes: Runarsson (GK), Trott (GK), Diks (DEF), Huescas (DEF), Delaney (MID), Falk (MID), Mattsson (MID), Robert (FWD), Elyounoussi (FWD), Larsson (FWD).