Chelsea is set to face Astana in the UEFA Conference League this afternoon, following a lengthy eight-hour flight to Kazakhstan. The team may encounter challenging conditions, with temperatures expected to drop below minus-10 degrees, creating an away day that manager Enzo Maresca might want to avoid.
However, Chelsea is in a strong position, having won all four of their previous matches in the Conference League, putting them on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage. In stark contrast, Astana currently finds itself at the bottom of the league phase table and is coming off a 2-0 defeat by Welsh side TNS.
Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 3:30 PM GMT today, December 12, 2024, at the Almaty Central Stadium, as the main stadium is undergoing renovations. Fans in the UK can catch the match live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 3 PM GMT. For those who prefer streaming, TNT Sports subscribers can watch online via the Discovery+ app.
The lineups for the match are as follows:
**Astana Starting XI**: Seisen; Bartolec, Kalaica, Kazukolovas, Vorogovskiy, Ebonh, Chinedu, Tomasov, Marochkin, Camara, Amanovic.
**Chelsea Starting XI**: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall, Chukwuemeka; Neto, Guiu, George.
Despite fielding a younger, rotated squad, Chelsea is optimistic about maintaining their perfect record in the Conference League. While the extreme temperatures may pose challenges, the team’s depth and competitive spirit should allow them to prevail against their hosts, with predictions favoring a 2-1 victory for Chelsea.
This match marks the first competitive meeting between Astana and Chelsea, adding an intriguing element to the contest.
In conclusion, as Chelsea looks to continue their strong performance in the tournament, fans can be hopeful about a successful outing in Kazakhstan. With an impressive record and a resilient squad, the Blues appear poised to shine despite adverse conditions.