FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea Prediction

The Conference League knockout rounds begin on Thursday, with the 16 teams remaining vying for the title, and a spot in next season's Europa League should they win the competition.

Danish side Copenhagen is one side that is looking to make a deep run in this year's competition, but Thursday sees them confront arguably the tournaments most daunting opposition in two time Champions League winners Chelsea, as the Blues hunt for the only trophy yet to find its way into their cabinet.

Having made an unbeaten start to their domestic season, Copenhagen’s confidence will be high, but taking on one of the Premier League big dogs is a different prospect altogether, and they will have to show Chelsea some due respect.

As the round of 16 tie edges closer, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Since their first leg defeat against Heidenheim in the Play-off round in mid-February, Copenhagen are unbeaten, winning three and drawing one.
• Copenhagen have already achieved their best result in the competition, eclipsing their run in 2020/21, where they were eliminated in the round of 32.
• Despite being tournament favourites, Chelsea need to step up their form, as they have won just two of their last six, losing the other four.
• However, they do hold a winning record of Copenhagens’ head, winning one and drawing another of their two previous meetings way back in 2011.

FC Copenhagen Preview

FC Copenhagen Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Giant Ramaj (GK); Marcos Lopez, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Gabriel Pereira, Rodrigo Huescas; Elias Achouri, Victor Froholdt, Thomas Delaney, Mohamed Elyounoussi; Magnus Mattsson, Viktor Claesson.

With the Danish Superligaen only kicking off last month, Copenhagen come into this one proudly boasting a so far invincible domestic record. Granted, that may consist of just three games (2W 1D), but any patch of unbeaten form can do wonders for a side's confidence, and ahead of facing Chelsea, they need every boost they can get.

Their squad contains a mix of promising domestic players, such as 19 year-old Froholdt, and more experienced players who have had important years playing in top leagues elsewhere, such as Thomas Delaney and Elyounoussi.

However, they are missing a couple of key players through injury, most importantly star winger Roony Bardghji and goalscorer-in-chief Andreas Cornelius. While they have been able to cope without these individuals fairly well so far, time will tell how their absence hits the Danish underdogs when they welcome Chelsea in two days.

Chelsea Preview

Chelsea Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Filip Jorgensen (GK); Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong; Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo; Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Tyrique George; Pedro Neto.

No doubt about it, Chelsea have been severely underperforming in recent months. Yes their lack of striker has hurt them, but prior to that, in dropping point to Everton, Fulham, Ipswich and Crystal Palace consecutively, it seemed their young squad simply wasn’t ready to cope with the surprise title contender label slapped on them.

However, thing seem to be slowly turning around for Enzo Maresca’s side. A number of players are close to returning from injury, including centre-backs Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, who both stand a chance of starting this game, and in Nicolas Jackson’s absence, Pedro Neto has filled the gap as an effective number nine, a duty he is carrying out admirably.

Most importantly, Chelsea now have Cole Palmer available for Conference League fixtures, having left him out of the squad in the league phase to manage their star players game time. With him in the team, every game is made that much simpler, and despite his dry spell, he is still the best player on the pitch.

FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 22/02/2011: Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea.
• 16/03/2011: Chelsea 0-0 FC Copenhagen.

FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea Betting Tip

Copenhagen are a talented team, and if posed with an out-of-form Manchester United or a team of a similar standard, they may fancy their chances. But Chelsea are a dangerous side even when playing far from their best, and it would be stupid to bet against them here.

FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea Final Prediction

FC Copenhagen 1-3 Chelsea

Copenhagen will come out of the blocks strongly in front of their home fans, but in the end Chelsea's strength will tell, as they coast to an easy first leg win.