Chelsea returns to European action in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening as they prepare to face Armenian side FC Noah for the first time in history.
The Blues, managed by Enzo Maresca, are riding high at the top of their Conference League group after a string of impressive performances.
With their sights set on maintaining a perfect record, Chelsea are expected to deliver a powerful display at Stamford Bridge against a young Noah team.
The blue’s European journey this season has been one to remember. The Blues have scored big in their previous outings, securing wins with substantial goal margins.
After a 4-1 win over Panathinaikos, they hold the top spot in their group, just ahead on goal difference. Chelsea’s Conference League form has reflected a strong rotation strategy, with Maresca fielding his second-string squad and still achieving high-scoring results.
In recent weeks, Chelsea has faced challenging fixtures in the Premier League, including back-to-back games against Newcastle and a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
These domestic encounters have seen Maresca field his top players, allowing other key squad members to rest ahead of their European duties. Against FC Noah, Chelsea fans can expect to see some familiar names alongside rising stars eager to impress.
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FC Noah’s Journey to Stamford Bridge
FC Noah may be a young club, founded only in 2017, but they have made significant strides in Armenian football. Their presence in the Europa Conference League is a testament to the hard work and talent within the squad.
The Armenian side has performed admirably, securing a notable victory over Mlada Boleslav before a narrow 1-0 loss to Rapid Wien. However, Noah’s trip to Stamford Bridge will be a different challenge entirely.
Noah’s squad features a diverse blend of European and South American talent. Portuguese forward Goncalo Gregorio, their top scorer this season, has netted 12 goals in 18 matches and will look to make an impact in front of the English crowd.
With Chelsea’s formidable lineup on the other side, however, Noah will need all their players to be at their best to contain Chelsea’s relentless attack.
Key Players and Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Team News
Enzo Maresca has opted for squad rotation throughout Chelsea’s Conference League run, allowing his core Premier League players to rest.
Cole Palmer, who has been a standout performer, isn’t registered in the Conference League squad and is also a doubt for the weekend’s clash against Arsenal due to fitness concerns.
Chelsea’s lineup for Thursday will likely feature familiar faces from their previous European fixtures, with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, and Christopher Nkunku expected to start.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall may partner with Enzo Fernandez in midfield, while Marc Cucurella and Benoit Badiashile are set to anchor the defense.
Predicted Chelsea lineup (4-2-3-1):
Jorgensen; Veiga, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez; George, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
FC Noah Team News
For Noah, the spotlight is on Goncalo Gregorio, who has been their leading scorer and main attacking threat. The Armenian side will be without Icelandic left-back Gudmundur Thorarinsson and Slovakian midfielder Martin Gambos, who are sidelined due to injury.
However, Noah’s coach has a variety of international talent to call upon, including French forward Helder and Ivorian midfielder Sangare.
Predicted Noah lineup (4-3-3):
Cancarevic; Mendoza, Silva, Muradyan, Hambardzumyan; Eteki, Omar, Sangare; Helder, Gregorio, Pinson.
Tactical Preview: What to Expect
The blues is expected to take control of the game from the start, utilizing their deep squad to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities.
With players like Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk in the mix, Chelsea will likely exploit Noah’s defense through quick passing and fluid attacking play. The Blues’ alternate squad has shown it can handle the pressure, so expect them to go on the offensive early.
Noah, aware of Chelsea’s strength, may approach the game with a compact defensive setup, aiming to limit space and prevent the Blues from building rhythm.
They’ll likely seek counter-attacking opportunities through Gregorio and Helder, hoping to capitalize on any defensive lapses from Chelsea. However, given Chelsea’s depth and strength, Noah will need a solid performance across the pitch to keep the scoreline respectable.
Match Prediction: Can Chelsea Extend Their Winning Run?
While Noah has shown resilience in their European campaign, Chelsea’s form and squad depth make them the clear favorites for this matchup.
The Blues’ alternate XI boasts an impressive level of talent, and given Noah’s relative inexperience on the European stage, this game could result in a lopsided scoreline. Chelsea’s previous performances against teams like Panathinaikos suggest that another high-scoring affair is likely.
Predicted score: Chelsea 5-0 Noah
How to Watch Chelsea vs Noah
Match Details:
- Date: Thursday, 7 November
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Where to Watch:
- UK: TNT Sports 1, discovery+
- US: Paramount+, ViX
- Canada: DAZN
