Astana v Chelsea LIVE: Conference League team news and line-ups with Blues starlet handed full debut | OneFootball

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Maresca backs Chelsea's Palmer to be world-class

Chelsea travel to Kazakhstan in the Conference League to play Astana in a gruelling midweek trip.

The Blues have taken a young squad with many highly-rated talents set for a debut in the freezing conditions of Almaty.

Enzo Maresca will hope to maintain the good form following a thrilling comeback victory at Tottenham on Sunday, with Cole Palmer thriving, before turning attention back to league matters and a Sunday evening kick-off against Brentford.

Chelsea are top of the Conference League, level with Legia Warszawa, with just two games remaining against Astana and Shamrock Rovers back at Stamford Bridge on 19 December.

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Astana strong domestically

Astana have a very strong domestic record. They finished the league season in second place last month ending the campaign just one point behind eventual winners Kairat.

With temperatures tilting below freezing, Grigoriy Babayan’s team then lifted the League Cup by beating Jenis 2-0 and now they are looking to progress further in European competition.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 14:39

Chelsea top of the table

As expected Chelsea are sitting at the top of the Conference League table. They have won all four of their matches so far and have 12 points from an available 12 with a goal difference of +15.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 14:33

Cold temperatures expected

About three hours before kick off the temperature around the ground was five degrees below zero. By the time the game gets underway that is expected to dip to nearer -10 which means both teams will have to adapt to the conditions as well as each other.

An added layer of difficulty for Chelsea.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 14:27

Astana vs Chelsea

A third-successive away victory would record Chelsea’s best return in Europe since five wins on the road in a row on the way to winning the Champions League in 2020/21.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 14:10

Will Mudryk impress?

Mykhailo Mudryk has hit three goals and matched that with assists in the Conference League this term, but he was ill at the weekend and missed the win over Tottenham.

(Action Images via Reuters)

Mike Jones12 December 2024 14:04

Jadon Sancho is turning into one of the signings of the season under Enzo Maresca’s care at Chelsea

Derby day provided a timely reminder of a certain talent that resides within Chelsea’s attacking ranks.

An occasion that always promises its fair share of thrills and spills, the Blues showcased their powers of recovery to overcome a two-goal deficit and come out 4-3 victors away to fierce London rivals Tottenham.

As “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again” rang out from the away end, Enzo Maresca revelled in his biggest win yet as Chelsea boss, which propelled his side to second in the league and extended their unbeaten run to eight in all competitions.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:52