Yahoo Sports Chelsea vs FC Noah – Match preview and team news
Chelsea host FC Noah in the Europa Conference League tonight in what is arguably the biggest game in the visitors’ short history.
The Blues are the overwhelming favourites to win this contest against the Armenian minnows, founded in 2017.
Enzo Maresca’s side so far have beaten Gent and Panathinaikos and sit top of the Europa Conference League table.
Cole Palmer is struggling with a knee injury, but he was never going to feature tonight as the Englishman was left out of the league phase squad by Maresca.
Chelsea vs FC Noah – Match preview and team news
Form
Chelsea: LWWLD
Chelsea had to settle for a point at the weekend as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester United. After Bruno Fernandes dispatched a spot kick with 20 minutes to go, Moises Caicedo blasted the ball past Andre Onana to level matters.
The draw followed a lethargic performance at Newcastle last midweek, where a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park condemned the club to a Carabao Cup exit.
Faces of focus. 📸 pic.twitter.com/SZMkPyMWl5
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 6, 2024
A shaky few minutes saw Alexander Isak score the opener before Axel Disasi turned the ball into his own net. Chelsea couldn’t muster a response to prevent them bowing out of the competition.
It’s likely that Maresca will heavily rotate his squad again with one eye on this weekend’s London Derby with Arsenal.
FC Noah: WWLWW
Rui Mota’s team have performed admirably in their first venture into the group phase of European competition, having collected three points from their opening two games.
They defeated Czech Republic outfit Mlada Boleslav 2-0 in their opener before a narrow loss on the road at Rapid Wien.
FC Noah earned their place in Europe by going through a gruelling qualification process where they managed to beat KF Shkendija, Sliema Wanderers, Ruzomberok and AEK Athens.
Chelsea’s squad value: €1.385billion
FC Noah’s squad value: €6.3millionThe Premier League team’s total Expected Transfer Value (xTV) is 220 times more than their @europacnfleague opponents tonight. 🤯
Can the Armenian side upset the odds? 🤔#UECL pic.twitter.com/6grtEQNwCK
— TransferRoom (@transferroom) November 7, 2024
Domestically, they sit fourth in the Armenian League but have four games in hand on table toppers Uratu FC, who are ten points ahead.
FC Noah’s name derives from the biblical tale that Noah’s Ark came to rest on the Mountains of Ararat; which is traditionally identified with Mount Ararat in Armenia.
Last Meeting: N/A
Not only will it be the first time FC Noah play Chelsea, but it will also be the first time they have faced English opposition in their history.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Jörgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Veiga, Fernandez; Dewsbury-Hall, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
FC Noah: Cancarevic; Mendoza, Goncalo Silva, Muradyan, Hambardzumyan; Eteki, Oulad Omar, Sangare; Helder Ferreira, Goncalon Gregorio, Pinson.
Who is the referee?
Austrian referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca will be the match official. He will be assisted by Maximilian Weiss and Michael Obritzberger while Harald Lechner will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Alan Kijas and he will be assisted by Josef Spurny.
What channel will Chelsea vs FC Noah be on?
Chelsea vs FC Noah will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at Stamford Bridge will be at 20:00 GMT on Thursday 7th November 2024.
Odds
Chelsea – 1/20
Draw – 14/1
FC Noah – 25/1
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