Chelsea vs. Servette: Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

The Swiss team, whose competitive season started in July, stands in the way of the Blues' hopes of advancing to the group stage, which they will face after a one-season absence from European play.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

The Red Devils were invited to the UEFA Europa League last season after their unexpected 2-1 FA Cup final triumph against Manchester City. It affected Chelsea, who are currently UEFA Europa Conference League participants. Thanks to their Premier League sixth-place finish, the Blues are qualified.

After Mauricio Pochettino's amicable departure, Enzo Maresca has been named Chelsea manager. Maresca made his competitive debut on Sunday against Manchester City at home, where they lost to the Premier League champion on the Premier League opening weekend, prior to the first leg against Servette. 

After a disappointing loss to Braga in their Europa League qualifier, Servette will face off against the Blues. On Thursday night, after a scoreless draw in Portugal, Braga defeated Stade de Genève 2-1 (Dereck Kutesa scoring a late consolation) on goals scored by Amine El Ouazzani and Roberto Fernández.

The tie will go to extra time and penalties if the scores remain level after the two games, regardless of whether the goal was scored at home or away. Neither Servette nor Chelsea have previously participated in the Conference League group stage; last year, Servette advanced all the way to the quarterfinals.

Chelsea x Servette Team News

Many of Enzo Maresca's starters from the Premier League opening against champions Manchester City may sit this one out, giving an opportunity to others on the bench to receive some playing time. This match might see the debuts of new signings Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto, and Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Swiss side is down to a single player, Victory Beniangba, loaned out by Jong Genk. The wounded Nigerian marksman is now undergoing treatment. Julian Von Moos, Sofyane Bouzamoucha, and Usman Simbakol are the three free agents that Servette has signed so far this summer.

Our Predictions

Chelsea 3-0 Servette @ 7.5 on SKY247.ng

With two losses by more than two goals and two scoreless draws in their past three Conference League contests, Servette enters this matchup riding a four-game losing streak in all competitions sanctioned by UEFA and the Swiss League.

Over 2.5 goals @1.36 on SKY247.ng

In Servette's first seven matches this season, over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of them. The only time this didn't apply was when they were qualifying for the Europa League and travelled away to Braga.

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