Chelsea’s European campaign resumes on Thursday night as they visit Parken Stadium to take on Danish side Copenhagen in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie.
Copenhagen earned their place in the knockout rounds through a hard-fought playoff victory over Bundesliga side Heidenheim. After losing the first leg 2-1, the Danish champions turned things around with a 3-1 extra-time win at home, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
While Chelsea are the clear favorites on paper, their struggles on the road this season could give Copenhagen confidence. The Blues have failed to win any of their last seven away games in all competitions, losing five and conceding 10 goals in their last four road matches.
Copenhagen currently sit atop the Danish Superliga with 40 points, securing their place in the championship playoffs. Their recent form has been solid, with three wins and a draw in their last four matches across all competitions.
Chelsea come into this fixture after a mixed run of results. While they remain in contention for a Champions League qualification spot, their inconsistent performances have put pressure on Maresca to deliver in Europe.
Chelsea’s attacking quality is undeniable, with Cole Palmer playing a pivotal role in the team’s creative play. If Palmer, Sancho, and Nkunku can link up effectively, they should be able to break down Copenhagen’s defense.
Despite Chelsea’s struggles away from home, they should have enough quality to take control of this tie. Copenhagen will look to take advantage of their home crowd and Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities, but the visitors’ superior attacking options could prove decisive.
Prediction: Copenhagen 1-3 Chelsea. Chelsea will likely concede but should have enough firepower to secure a first-leg victory. However, their defensive frailties mean the tie may not be over heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.