UEFA Europa Conference League Preview: With an Unbeaten Record Against Belgian Teams, Can Chelsea Easily Defeat Gent?

On October 4 at 03:00, the first round of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, Chelsea vs Gent.

Before the start of the season, Chelsea were not favored by outsiders. However, in reality, they have performed well this season, only two points behind the top team in the Premier League. In the Premier League match last Saturday, Palmer scored four goals in one half, helping the team to a 4-2 comeback victory against Brighton. They have lost only once in their last 14 home games.

Three years ago, Chelsea were Champions League winners, and this will be their first appearance in the Europa Conference League. If they win the title, they will become the first team to win the “European Quadruple Crown” (Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup, and Europa Conference League). In their last two participations in non-Champions League European competitions, they emerged victorious – the Europa League in 2013 and 2019. Their Europa Conference League first-round opponent is the Belgian First Division A team, Gent. Chelsea are unlikely to lack confidence as they have not lost to a Belgian club in 29 years, winning five out of eight matches against Belgian teams previously.

Of course, Gent also has rich experience in European competitions, this being their tenth consecutive season participating in European events. Under the leadership of Wouter Vrancken, they have had a good start to the season. Starting from the second qualifying round, Gent overcame all obstacles, defeating Vikingur, Silkeborg, and Partizan Belgrade through six matches, successfully advancing to the group stage. In the domestic league, only leaders Genk have more points after nine rounds. So far this season, they have won ten out of their first fifteen matches across all competitions.

Since the establishment of the Europa Conference League in 2021, Gent has participated every season and reached the knockout stage in all three participations. In the 2022/23 season, they performed well, reaching the quarter-finals, but were eliminated in London by eventual champions West Ham United. However, Gent also has successful experiences in the English capital, having eliminated Tottenham Hotspur in the packed Wembley Stadium in the 2017 Europa League.

To manage player workload, Chelsea may again make eleven major rotations. Palmer, Wesley Fofana, and Lavia are excluded from Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad list and will not appear in this match. Gusto returned from injury against Brighton and may start again while Reece James remains absent. Nkunku seems to be the starting striker outside the Premier League and may receive support from Pedro Neto and Felix.

Gent lost some key players in the summer transfer market, such as Julian D’Silva, Tariq Tissoudali, and Hong Hyun-Ho, making the team almost unrecognizable from the one that came to London last time. In addition, the away team will also be without experienced Sven Kums, Andrew Hjulsager is doubtful, and new signing Aimé Omruba has yet to make his debut due to injury since joining from Den Bosch. The son of former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, Andri Gudjohnsen, will play; he came off the bench and scored in the match against OH Leuven last Sunday.

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