CONFERENCE LEAGUE favourites Chelsea look to extend their winning run in the group stage proper as they jet east to face Polish heavyweights Legia Warsaw.
The Blues narrowly edged past Servette in the competition’s qualification round despite losing the second leg, and have since gone on to win all eight of their games, including last round’s two legs against Copenhagen.
Although boosting loftier heights than the third tier of European football – with a place in the Champions League on the cards in league play – winning the competition would be the new ownership’s first salute since the 2022 takeover.
Legia, like 2021 Champions League-winning Chelsea, have endured testy times in recent years with a downturn in league finish since winning seven out of the last nine titles dating back to the 12/13 season.
Controversial coach Gonçalo Feio has already guided the Polish club to their best European progression in the 21st century.
- Kick-off time: 5.45pm GMT
- TV channel/FREE live stream: TNT Sports 1/Discovery plus
- Legia Warsaw team: Tobiasz, Wszolek, Pankov, Kapuadi, Vinagre, Oyedele, Agustyniak, Elitim, Chodyna, Luquinhas, Morishita
- Chelsea team: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashille, Gusto, Dewsbury-Hall, James, George, Palmer, Sancho, Nkunku
Follow Chelsea’s Conference League clash below…
On the bench
Legia Warsaw: Kovacevic, Mendes-Dudzinski, Barcia, Olewinski, Kun, Biczachczjan, Goncalves, Mozie, Szczepaniak, Pekhart
Chelsea: Sanchez, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Amougou, Rak-Sakyi, Fernandez, Neto, Madueke, Jackson, Mheuka
Young guns
Cobham graduates Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George BOTH start for Chelsea tonight.
The pair have impressed in the Conference League this season.
Tonight gives them an opportunity to step up and guide Chelsea into the semi-final, as the club prepare for what could be a HUGE transfer window in the summer.
Cole Palmer STARTS
Palmer was not even in the squad for Chelsea’s group stage games in the Conference League, but he starts here tonight.
Captain Reece James also starts, and is expected to play in midfield, alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Credit: Getty
XI’s confirmed
Legia Warsaw: Tobiasz, Kapuadi, Oyedele, Augustyniak, Chodyna, Pankov, Wszolek, Vinagre, Elitim, Morishita, Luquinhas
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Badisahille, Gusto, Dewsbury-Hall, James, George, Palmer, Sancho, Nkunku
Next up: team news
Chelsea and Legia Warsaw announce their line-ups NEXT.
Credit: Getty When in War
Chelsea travel to Legia Warsaw in the Conference League quarter-finals.
Enzo Maresca’s side saw off Copenhagen in the round of 16 to set up a tie against the Polish outfit in the last eight.
The Conference League is the only chance Chelsea have of picking up a trophy this season, with the Premier League out of touch, and the side are out of the FA Cup.
It also presents an opportunity for Chelsea to become the first club in history to win the Champions, Europa and Conference League.
Legia Warsaw are no slouches, and saw off Molde in the round of 16 -overturning a 3-2 loss to win 2-0 after extra time in Poland in the second leg.
The Blues have already proven to be somewhat put off by a hostile environment, struggling to break down Copenhagen for 45 minutes in the round of 16 in the away leg.
If Legia Warsaw are to upset the odds, they will need their fans to put on a big display.
SunSport has you covered for play-by-play action from tonight’s clash.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
