Chelsea vs Djurgarden Preview

• Chelsea to win
• Palmer to score or assist

Chelsea welcome Djurgården to Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, holding a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final tie. That impressive result in Stockholm all but booked their ticket to the final, barring a historic collapse. It also marked a successful first-ever meeting between the two clubs and a dominant performance that underlined Chelsea’s growing stature in this competition.

The Blues followed that continental success with a statement 3-1 home win over newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday, signalling that they are hitting peak form at just the right time. That victory extended their winning streak to four matches in all competitions, including back-to-back domestic league wins which have helped revive their hopes of securing a top-five finish and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea Hitting Their Stride

Enzo Maresca’s side appear to be clicking into gear after a season of ups and downs, with tactical cohesion, improved goal output, and defensive discipline becoming more evident. Although they don’t need a victory on Thursday night to advance to the final, confidence is high at Stamford Bridge, and they will likely look to maintain momentum with another professional performance.

Chelsea’s historical record against Swedish clubs only strengthens their case. They’ve won each of their last three home games against Swedish opposition without conceding a single goal, racking up an aggregate score of 8-0 in those matches. That includes past encounters against the likes of Malmö and AIK, and if they maintain that form, another comfortable win could be in the cards.

History also backs Chelsea’s progression – the West London club have progressed from all 16 of their previous European ties after winning the first leg away from home, a flawless record they’ll be eager to preserve.

Djurgården Facing Uphill Battle

Djurgården, for their part, knew they were massive underdogs heading into this tie, and their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed during the first leg. Conceding four goals at home put them on the back foot, and although Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta’s late consolation goal slightly sweetened the scoreline, their chances of reaching a first-ever European final are now vanishingly slim.

The Swedish outfit returned to domestic duty over the weekend with a 1-1 draw against rivals AIK – a result that did little to raise morale. That stalemate means they have now won just one of their last four matches across all competitions (D2, L1), a concerning run as they head into arguably the biggest match in club history.

Djurgården can take some minor encouragement from their dramatic quarter-final triumph over Rapid Vienna. In that tie, they also lost the first leg at home before pulling off a comeback win in the return fixture. However, the scale of the deficit this time is much more daunting – overcoming a three-goal gap at Stamford Bridge against a resurgent Chelsea side will require nothing short of a miracle.

Still, Thursday night offers them a valuable chance to showcase their credentials on the European stage. Even if progression proves elusive, a spirited performance could serve as a platform for future continental campaigns.

Key Players to watch out for

Cole Palmer finally ended an 18-match goal drought in Chelsea’s win over Liverpool, a timely return to scoring form ahead of the business end of the season.

Despite not being registered for the Conference League group stage, he may feature here and would be eager to open his European account if given the nod.

For Djurgården, Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta could be one to watch. The 18-year-old forward netted his first senior goal in the first leg and may be rewarded with his first-ever start. His energy and enthusiasm might be a wildcard factor for the visitors.

Hot Stat

Chelsea have progressed from all 16 previous UEFA ties in which they won the first leg away from home – underlining the near-impossible task awaiting Djurgården.

Prediction

With a 4-1 lead, Chelsea will likely manage this game smartly. Expect them to dominate possession, limit risks, and possibly extend their aggregate lead if opportunities arise. Djurgården will play for pride, but Chelsea should complete the job comfortably and seal their place in the final.

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Chelsea vs Djurgården | UEFA Conference League 2024/25