Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Conference League match.
Chelsea have hit a solid run of form in early spring, winning three consecutive matches since 25 February—something they hadn’t managed since early December. At Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate his squad once again, giving opportunities to motivated squad players and academy prospects against Copenhagen.
Chelsea
The first leg in Denmark (2:1) forced some tactical adjustments after Malo Gusto was replaced by Marc Cucurella, shifting the build-up play to the opposite flank. Chelsea registered just 0.37 xG despite having 62% possession, struggling to create clear chances. This lack of attacking fluency is largely down to Cole Palmer’s dip in form and Nicolas Jackson’s injury, yet even in these conditions, Chelsea have handled weaker opponents on quality alone. Against Leicester City (1:0) in the FA Cup, they dominated (1.68–0.10 in xG).
Copenhagen
The Danish side already struggled in the previous round, narrowly edging out a struggling Heidenheim side from the lower end of the Bundesliga (4:3 on aggregate). In the away leg in Germany, Copenhagen allowed 1.85 xGA and faced 22 shots—a level of defensive vulnerability they cannot afford at Stamford Bridge. Their domestic preparations also took a hit, as a rotated side could only draw against SønderjyskE (1:1) at the weekend.
Chelsea vs Copenhagen Prediction
Copenhagen face a significant challenge in their quest to reach the Conference League quarter-finals. Chelsea are expected to progress comfortably in this tie, likely using the opportunity to manage playing time for key players while still fielding a strong enough lineup to secure the victory.
