Chelsea vs Copenhagen Preview

• Chelsea to win
• Palmer to score or assist

Chelsea head into the second leg of their UEFA Conference League last-16 tie holding a 2-1 aggregate lead over Copenhagen.

The Blues know that simply avoiding defeat at Stamford Bridge will be enough to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

With three consecutive wins in all competitions, Chelsea will look to progress in style, while their Danish opponents need a historic performance to pull off an unlikely comeback.

Can Chelsea extend their unbeaten Conference League run and continue their dominance over Danish opposition, or will Copenhagen shock the heavy tournament favourites? Here’s a complete match preview.

Chelsea’s Dominance in the Conference League

Chelsea have been flawless in the UEFA Conference League this season, winning all seven games during the main draw. They have been particularly impressive at home, where they scored at least four goals in each of their three league-phase matches.

Enzo Maresca’s side have also hit a good run of form domestically, winning their last three matches across all competitions, scoring seven goals while conceding just once.

Their 1-0 victory over Leicester at the weekend may not have been the most convincing, but it extended their strong home record—Chelsea have lost just once at Stamford Bridge since their opening-day defeat to Manchester City (W14, D4).

Given their dominance in this competition and impressive home form, Chelsea should feel confident about sealing their place in the quarter-finals.

Copenhagen Facing an Uphill Battle

Copenhagen have never won away against an English club, and they have also never beaten Chelsea in their history (D2, L5). If they are to turn the tie around, they will need to make history at Stamford Bridge.

Their preparations for this match have been far from ideal, as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Sønderjyske in the Danish Superliga, a result that saw them lose top spot in their domestic league.

That draw extended their winless run to three matches (D2, L1), meaning they arrive in London short on momentum.

However, one positive for Copenhagen is their solid away record in this competition, having won two of their last three Conference League away matches inside 90 minutes. That said, none of those victories came against a team of Chelsea’s calibre.

To progress, Copenhagen will need a perfect performance, something that looks highly unlikely given their recent struggles and Chelsea’s home dominance.

Head-to-Head Record & Historical Context

• First leg result: Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea
• Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League record: 7 wins from 7 matches
• Chelsea’s home form in the competition: At least 4 goals scored in each of 3 matches
• Copenhagen’s record against English clubs (away): D5, L11 (never won)
• Copenhagen’s record against Chelsea: D2, L5 (never won)

History heavily favours Chelsea, with Copenhagen needing a major upset to advance.

Key Players to Watch

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

The young playmaker was added to Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the knockout stage, and he will be eager to make an impact.

Palmer hasn’t scored since mid-January, but his last three goals all opened the scoring before the 20th minute. He also missed a penalty at the weekend, so expect him to be extra motivated to make amends.

Gabriel Pereira (Copenhagen)

Pereira’s header in the first leg gave Copenhagen hope, and all three of his goals for the club have come via headers. Given Chelsea’s occasional struggles with defending set-pieces, Pereira could once again be a key figure if Copenhagen are to cause an upset.

Prediction: Can Copenhagen Pull Off a Shock?

Given Chelsea’s flawless Conference League campaign, home dominance, and Copenhagen’s poor record in England, this match appears one-sided on paper.

While Copenhagen are capable of competing, Chelsea should have more than enough quality to seal their place in the quarter-finals.

Expect Chelsea to control possession, create numerous chances, and ultimately see out the tie comfortably. Copenhagen may look to stay compact and hit on the counter, but their lack of firepower and defensive fragility should allow Chelsea to complete the job in style.

Predicted Score: Chelsea 3-0 Copenhagen (Chelsea win 5-1 on aggregate)

Chelsea should secure a convincing victory, continuing their perfect run in the competition and keeping their European silverware hopes alive.

For more info on this game, you may also visit:
Chelsea vs Copenhagen | UEFA Conference League 2024/25