{"id":1365068,"date":"2024-10-03T08:30:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T07:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1365068"},"modified":"2024-10-03T08:35:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T07:35:44","slug":"chelsea-gent-conference-league-team-news-line-ups","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/chelsea-gent-conference-league-team-news-line-ups\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea vs Gent predicted line-ups and team news"},"content":{"rendered":"

The league stage of the Conference League gets underway on Thursday, with Chelsea<\/a> starting the competition as the strong favourites to lift the trophy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enzo Maresca\u2019s men begin their campaign with a home clash against Gent, with the Blues looking to be finding their feet under their new manager.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s four wins in a row in all competitions for Chelsea and despite having to make changes, they will expect to collect another success on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Chelsea vs Gent predicted lineups<\/h2>\n

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):<\/strong> Jorgensen; Gusto, Badiashile, Disasi, Veiga; Dewsbury-Hall, Casadei; Mudryk, Joao Felix, Neto; Nkunku.<\/p>\n

Gent (4-2-3-1):<\/strong> Roef; Brown, Mitrovic, Watanabe, Gambor; Ito, Delorge; Surdez, Vancsa, Fadiga; Dean.<\/p>\n

Fresh faces out to prove a point<\/h2>\n

Chelsea have the biggest squad in England and that has led to four senior players being left out of their squad for the Conference League.<\/p>\n

Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell were omitted from the European options, allowing others the chance to prove their worth.<\/p>\n

Christopher Nkunku, who has just one Premier League goal to his name, is one player in particular who will be given his chance in this competition.<\/p>\n

The former Paris Saint Germain and RB Leipzig man has been hampered by injury since moving to Stamford Bridge and is now having to impress a new manager.<\/p>\n

Nkunku scored from the spot in both legs of the qualifier against Servette and also scored a hat-trick in the EFL Cup success over Barrow.<\/p>\n

If the French international is to break into Chelsea\u2019s league plans, then this competition will be vital to his hopes.<\/p>\n

Gent head to Stamford Bridge sitting third in the Belgian top flight, having lost just one of their last six matches.<\/p>\n

Manager Wouter Vrancken has two English players at his disposal, with former Leeds youngster Max Dean and ex-Derby defender Archie Brown part of the squad.<\/p>\n

Chelsea vs Gent team news<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chelsea are set to make a number of changes from the side who beat Brighton last weekend, with four-goal Cole Palmer not available.<\/p>\n

Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are expected to start, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is another set to feature.<\/p>\n

Filip Jorgensen started between the posts against Servette and Barrow and is likely to be preferred to Robert Sanchez.<\/p>\n

Reece James is still sidelined by injury, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could start in the centre of midfield.<\/p>\n

Gent will be missing their captain, with Sven Kums injured, while Vrancken is waiting on the fitness of Danish midfielder Andrew Hjulsager.<\/p>\n

Max Dean is expected to start up front, while Andri Gudjohnsen \u2013 son of former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen \u2013 is expected to be on the bench.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n