Conference League
2025-03-06 - Copenhagen vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Conference League Last 16 First Leg
Thursday 6th March 2025 - Kick Off 5:45pm
This game is live on TV
Copenhagen
It is not ideal for those clubs that have extended time without competitive between the December Group games in UEFA competition and the Knock Out Rounds. That used to be significantly more of an issue when the Group Stage was concluded in December and that is still a situation to deal with for clubs like Copenhagen when operating in the Conference League.
With that in mind, credit has to be given to Copenhagen for rallying to beat Heidenheim in the Play Off Round and the 4-3 aggregate win after Extra Time was played in the Second Leg has forced a pathway through to the Last 16. The draw has paired Copenhagen with the clear favourite to win the trophy in May, but the Danish team will be hoping to use the First Leg at home as an opportunity to lay the foundation for an upset.
Copenhagen were beaten 1-2 in the First Leg at home in the Play Off Round against Heidenheim, but they are unbeaten in 4 games in all competitions since then as the Superliga has resumed. The side have won 5 of their last 6 home games in all competitions, but Copenhagen have won just 1 of their last 4 here in the Conference League.
Chelsea
Winning silverware will always give a manager something to show the board for the efforts made in a season, although Enzo Maresca may actually be judged on whether his Chelsea team are playing Champions League Football next season or not. That does mean the Premier League is still the priority, but fans would be expecting Chelsea to win the UEFA Conference League having cruised into the Last 16 without needing to use key players.
The likes of Cole Palmer had to be added to the Conference League squad with Maresca using a number of the fringe players to guide Chelsea through the Group Stage. The Blues have not only won all 6 Group games in the competition, but Chelsea have scored at least twice in each victory as they have made short work of this level of opponent.
Chelsea had been in poor form having lost 3 in a row in all competitions, but they thumped Southampton last week and the team have had plenty of rest to prepare for the next part of the season. The away form has really been an issue for Chelsea of late and they have not only failed to win any of their last 7 games on their travels, but have been beaten 3 times in a row.
Strikers Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are both hoping to return after the March international break. Trevoh Chalobah could be involved, while the manager may take a stronger squad across to Copenhagen than he has used in previous Conference League ties.
Head to Head
Copenhagen and Chelsea have met four times previously in competitive fixtures.
Both games in West London ended in draws, but Chelsea have won on two visits to Copenhagen.
Prediction
It would take a pretty big upset to prevent Chelsea becoming the second English team in three seasons to earn a spot in the Conference League Final.
Nothing can ever be taken for granted, but Chelsea have avoided the biggest teams left in the competition until the Final and this is a squad that has already shown how comfortable they find the level in the Conference League.
That was also without players like Cole Palmer, who have been added to the squad for the Knock Out Rounds, and Chelsea are expected to be comfortable.
In saying all that, this tie with Copenhagen might be tougher than it looks and Chelsea will need to pay the Danish Champions plenty of respect. Just last season Copenhagen were able to beat Manchester United here, while they have a couple of home wins over Scottish Premiership clubs in the Conference League this season.
Copenhagen are back in competitive action domestically, which will help, and they have been tough to face at home.
However, they were beaten by Heidenheim in the Play Off Round and Chelsea's quality could be hard to contain, especially if Enzo Maresca uses some of the players that have largely played in the Premier League. The top flight is the priority, but Chelsea are well rested and they should select a first eleven that is capable of securing a solid win away from home.
The Pick :
Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Chelsea to Win & Over 1 Total Goals (Bet Builder) at 1.86 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)
