Chelsea vs Servette prediction and stats: Blues return to European competition
Chelsea host Servette in their Conference League playoff first leg on Thursday evening.
After one season away from European competition, the Blues are looking to qualify for the group phase, but standing in their way is a Swiss side whose competitive season began all the way back in July.
Three predictions for Chelsea vs Servette
Chelsea 3-0 Servette (13/2 with Bet365)
Servette come into this fixture having lost their last four combined Swiss League and UEFA-sanctioned games, with two of those by more than a two-goal margin, while they’ve failed to score in two of their last three Conference League matches.
Cole Palmer to score anytime (100/30 with SkyBet)
Cole Palmer made 25 appearances for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during the 2023/24 season. He subsequently netted 19 goals, with five of those coming across nine cup fixtures.
Over 2.5 goals (3/10 with BetMGM)
Six of Servette’s opening seven competitive matches this season have seen over 2.5 goals scored in them. However, their away visit to Braga in the Europa League qualification stage was the sole exception.
How both teams go into Chelsea vs Servette
Manchester United’s surprise 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final last season earned the Red Devils a place in the UEFA Europa League. It impacted Chelsea, who will now play in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Blues qualify by virtue of their sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino, who turned Chelsea’s season around, left the club with mutual consent and has since been succeeded by Enzo Maresca, who is set for his competitive debut as Blues boss on Sunday when Manchester City comes to West London on the Premier League opening weekend, before the first leg against Servette. They then face Wolves away before the trip across the continent.
Servette will take on the Blues after losing their Europa League qualifier to Braga. After a goalless draw in Portugal, Braga won 2-1 at Stade de Genève on Thursday night thanks to goals from Amine El Ouazzani and Roberto Fernández before a late consolation by Dereck Kutesa.
Away goals will not factor into the tie, which will go to extra time and penalties if the score is level after the two games. The winner will qualify for the Conference League group stage, which Chelsea has never played in before, while Servette reached the round of 16 in the Conference League last season.
Chelsea host Servette on Thursday 22nd August at 8pm (UK time) at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea team news
Reece James is unlikely to be fit as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury. There’s a slight doubt about Marc Cucurella’s availability after he came off with an apparent knee problem in the defeat to Manchester City.
Filip Jørgensen, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are all potential candidates for their first starts. Youngsters like Tyrique George hope to play, while Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke aim to force their way into the starting lineup.
Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, and Tosin Adarabioyo are not included in the squad.
Servette team news
Head coach Thomas Haberli made several changes for last weekend’s impressive Swiss Cup victory. He is expected to field his strongest starting lineup with no new injuries to report. Former French youth international Enzo Crivelli is expected to lead the attack.
Swiss international Dereck Kutesa is a threat on the wings. He scored in the previous game against Signal, but it is unclear whether he will play on Thursday. Kutesa missed the match against Braga due to illness, according to Haberli, but this was denied by the player’s agent, who confirmed that the Saudi-linked winger had received offers to leave the club.
How to watch Chelsea vs Servette live
Enzo Maresca’s side will now play their first European game of the season against Servette at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, August 22, and it’s expected to be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
