The first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League semi-final between Djurgarden (Sweden) and Chelsea (England) will take place on May 1 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium. Djurgarden vs. Chelsea: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Djurgarden
The Swedes have reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time in their history. The previous round started with a home defeat to Rapid (0-1), but they managed to achieve the necessary result in the return leg (2-1, extra time 2-0). Notably, Djurgarden has won 6 of their last 8 matches in the Conference League, but only in two of those games did they manage to keep a clean sheet. Additionally, among all the semi-finalists in this tournament, the Scandinavians average the most yellow cards – 2.8.
- The Swedes have scored in 12 of their last 14 Conference League matches.
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in 7 of their last 8 home games in the Conference League.
- Djurgarden has yet to draw a match at home in this tournament (12 wins, 4 losses).
Projected lineup for Djurgarden (4-5-1)
Jakob Rinne – Keita Kosugi, Adam Ståhl, Jacob Une Larsson, Marcus Danielson – Daniel Stensson, Nino Zugelj, Hampus Finndell, Tobias Gulliksen, Oscar Fallenius – Tokmac Chol Nguen.
Midfielders Rasmus Schüller, Patrik Åslund, forwards Nino Zugelj and Oscar Fallenius are injured.
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca's side virtually secured a semi-final spot in the first leg against Legia (3-0), but the return leg saw them give their fans a scare, losing 1-2 at home to the Poles. This defeat ended Chelsea's nine-match winning streak in the Conference League. However, their scoring run in this tournament reached 12 matches. Moreover, Chelsea leads the list of the most prolific teams in the 2024/25 Conference League, having scored 33 goals so far. The last time the English reached the semi-finals of a European competition was in the 2020/21 season, when they won the Champions League.
- The British team opened the scoring in 11 of their last 12 Conference League games.
- Chelsea has won their last 5 away matches in this tournament.
- In 8 of their last 10 Conference League matches, the team scored at least two goals.
Projected lineup for Chelsea (4-3-3)
Filip Jorgensen – Joshua Achimpong, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo – Reece James, Cole Palmer, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho.
Forward Marc Guehi will not play due to injury.
Referee
Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 21%.
Djurgarden vs. Chelsea: Match Prediction
The Swedes have performed excellently in this Conference League, but it is unlikely that Janne Honkavaara's side will challenge the English. Against opponents of such caliber, all of Djurgarden's achievements in this tournament are likely to pale. The English have extensive European competition experience, and overall, Chelsea is much more skilled than the Scandinavians. I think the maximum the hosts can achieve is to score a goal. The team has no issues with scoring: the Swedes have scored in 8 of their last 9 home Conference League matches.
Chelsea will surely look to redeem themselves in the eyes of their fans after the loss to Legia in the previous match. Even without additional motivation, the British have been formidable, winning 10 of their 12 Conference League matches. The attacking potential of the Londoners shines even on the road: in their last five away Conference League games, the club has scored 14 goals.
My prediction: Chelsea to win and Total over 2.5 goals
