Djurgardens vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Chelsea travel to face Djurgardens in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final tonight.

Enzo Maresca’s side beat Legia Warsaw over two legs to reach the last four, as the Blues aim to become the first club to have won each of UEFA’s current club competitions.

Djurgardens are into their first-ever European semi-final and aiming to become just the second Swedish side to win a major UEFA competition. Only IFK Göteborg, who won the UEFA Cup in 1982 and 1987, have previously achieved the feat.

Djurgarden vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news

Team News

Djurgardens are dealing with a number of absentees for the clash. Oskar Fallenius and Nino Zugelj picked up injuries in the quarter-final win over Rapid Vienna and have missed the last two matches, while Malkolm Nilsson Safqvist, Rasmus Schuller and Patric Aslund are all ruled out. There’s better news on goalkeeper Jacob Rinne who has recovered from illness.

For Chelsea, Malo Gusto missed the weekend win over Everton but is pushing to return, while Filip Jorgensen should be reinstated in goal as the club’s European goalkeeper this season.

Wesley Fofana and Marc Guiu remain injured, while Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended after failing a doping test.

Form

Djurgardens: LLWDW

Djurgardens have endured a mixed start to their domestic campaign and sit 11th in the table after five games. The Swedish side finished fourth in the Allsvenskan last season. Their European venture has contrasted an inconsistent start in the league, including an impressive comeback to eliminate Rapid Vienna in the quarter-finals. After losing the first leg at home, Djurgardens progressed after winning 4-1, after extra time, in the return.

Earlier in the competition, Djurgardens finished fifth in the league phase, losing just one of their six games. Only Chelsea and Vitória S.C. claimed more points in the league phase.

Chelsea: WDLWW

Back-to-back league wins have boosted Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League qualification. Pedro Neto’s last-gasp goal secured three points at Fulham, before a fine Nicolas Jackson goal was decisive against Everton last weekend.

Enzo Maresca’s side remain inconsistent, however, with Cole Palmer struggling for form. The club’s talisman leads the Premier League for chances created but has now gone 17 matches without a goal.

In Europe, Chelsea have won 9 of their 10 Conference League games. A second leg defeat to Legia Waraw (with Chelsea 3-0 ahead on aggregate) is the only blemish on their record.

Last Meeting

The two teams have never previously met.

Predicted Lineups

Djurgardens: Rinne; Stahl, Une Larsson, Danielson, Kosugi; Stensson, Findell; Harala, Gulliksen, Nguen; Priske

Chelsea: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Who is the referee?

Sandro Schärer (Switzerland).

What TV channel is Djurgardens vs Chelsea on?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 4.

What time is kick-off?

20:00 BST.

Odds

Djurgardens – 11/1

Draw – 19/4

Chelsea – 1/4

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