Servette vs Chelsea: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea embark on their first continental venture of the season as they travel to Geneva aiming to book their place in the 2024/25 Conference League.

The Blues are in a strong position in their play-off tie against Swiss outfit Servette. While Enzo Maresca’s side struggled for large parts of last Thursday’s first leg in west London, second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and the red-hot Noni Madueke mean they take a 2-0 lead into the second leg.

Chelsea will also be emboldened by their emphatic 6-2 victory over Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday. Madueke was at it again as he netted a lightning-quick hat-trick in the second period.

Servette, Switzerland’s third-most successful club, are aiming to stage a resurgence on home soil to progress into the league phase. They gave Chelsea a few things to think about in the first leg and Thursday’s hosts will feel they’re not out of the tie, especially if the Blues are rocked by an early goal. Servette currently sit seventh in the Swiss Super League at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

Here is 90min’s guide to Chelsea‘s trip to Switzerland.

Servette vs Chelsea H2H Record (All Games)

Current form (all competitions)

The aptly named Victory Beniangba continues to struggle with a muscle injury which has prevented him from taking to the field at the start of 2024/25 and the striker is unlikely to feature again on Thursday.

While his side were beaten at Stamford Bridge, Servette certainly didn’t disgrace themselves and manager Thomas Haberli could name a similar starting XI for the reverse fixture.

Dereck Kutesa will likely retain his spot down the left flank despite the speculation that surrounds his future in Geneva.

Servette predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Douline, Ondoua; Stevanovic, Antunes, Kutesa; Crivelli.

Maresca made…