Chelsea make the long trip from the UK to Kazakhstan this week to face Astana in the UEFA Conference League.
Enzo Maresca’s team battled to a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim last time out to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition, and they know that another win on Thursday will guarantee their place in the Round of 16.
The Blues boss has rotated his team for each European game this season and this week is likely to follow the same pattern, especially after their draining 4-3 Premier League win over Tottenham on Sunday. That means certain fringe players will be given the chance to impress, while the likes of Cole Palmer are left at home.
Astana’s domestic season has come to a close, so they should be well rested for this clash. Despite being clear underdogs, they will be determined to spring a surprise on Chelsea and boost their chances of at least a place in the knockout-round playoffs in early 2025.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news for this fixture.
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Astana vs. Chelsea lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
With the Kazakhstan Premier League having concluded in mid-November — Astana lost out to Kairat in the title race by a single point — Grigori Babayan’s team have only played one game in a month: their 1-1 home draw with Vitoria in this competition.
The coach should at least be able to field a first-choice side for this game, with their lack of playing time keeping injuries to a minimum.
Astana predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Condric (GK) — Bartolec, Kazukolovas, Kalaica, Vorogovskiy — Ebong, Amanovic — Tomasov, Gripshi, Camara — Charles
Injured: None
Suspended: None
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Maresca is expected to rotate his side heavily as he usually does for these Conference League matches.
The coach confirmed that young defender Josh Acheampong is in line to start for the first time, while other academy products are likely to be in the matchday squad.
Cole Palmer is not in the squad for the league phase, so he will get some rest. Romeo Lavia is also ineligible but would likely have sat this one out anyway after feeling some discomfort during the win at Spurs.
Mykhailo Mudryk could be back from illness, but captain Reece James and centre-back Wesley Fofana, who is not part of the squad, either, are not expected to return from injury until January. Cesare Casadei is suspended after his red card against Heidenheim.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Jorgensen (GK) — Gusto, Adarabioyo, Acheampong, Veiga — Chukwuemeka, Dewsbury-Hall — George, Joao Felix, Mudryk — Guiu
Injured: James (hamstring), Fofana (hamstring), Kellyman (thigh)
Suspended: Casadei
Ineligible: Palmer, Fofana, Lavia, Chilwell
Astana vs. Chelsea live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Conference League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
