Yahoo Sports Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers – Match preview and team news
The Europa Conference League league phase concludes tonight with Chelsea hosting Shamrock Rovers.
The Blues top the league phase having collected maximum points from their five games and tonight will be the first time in history that they play an opponent from the Republic of Ireland.
Shamrock Rovers are unbeaten in Europe and sit in sixth position, but sit only a solitary point inside of the guaranteed Round of 16 places.
Enzo Maresca is expected to heavily rotate his side for tonight’s fixture with their place in the knockouts already confirmed.
Our first-ever match against an Irish side. 🔜🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/A0LFiW22f4
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 18, 2024
Mykhailo Mudryk is temporarily suspended after an adverse finding was discovered in a drug test, while Joao Felix has a knock. Cesare Casadei is available again after serving a suspension against FC Astana last Thursday.
Rory Gaffney is Shamrock’s only major absentee with the Irishman not expected to recover from a leg injury until the New Year.
Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers – Match preview and team news
Form
Chelsea: WWWWW
Chelsea have excelled in Europe this season with five wins out of five, meaning they sit two points clear at the top.
In the process, Enzo Maresca’s side have netted an astounding 21 goals, including eight at home against FC Noah.
Last week, they dispatched Kazakhstan outfit FC Astana 3-1 as they dealt with the freezing conditions adeptly. They have also overcome Panathinaikos, Gent and FC Heidenheim.
Shamrock Rovers: WWWDW
The Irish Premier Division doesn’t get back under way until February so Shamrock can devote all of their energy to this competition.
They are yet to be beaten in the Europa Conference League and a positive result in London will see them earn qualification into the last 16.
They have overcome Welsh outfit TNS and Northern Irish team Larne in recent weeks. Last time out, they swept aside Borac Banja Luka of Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in Dublin.
“They why we do it, that’s why we work so hard – to allow our fans to create special moments.” 🗣️
Stephen Bradley gives us his thoughts ahead of @Conf_League MD6 against @ChelseaFC 👇#RoversInEurope pic.twitter.com/eyEmqopoRm
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) December 18, 2024
Those victories, coupled with well-earned draws against Rapid Wien and APOEL Nicosia, have put them in a favourable position.
Their domestic season ended in early November with Stephen Bradley’s side finishing in second place, two points behind winners Shelbourne. Shelbourne stopped Shamrock from winning their fifth consecutive league title.
Last Meeting: N/A
This will be the first time in history that Chelsea battle it out with Shamrock Rovers.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Disasi, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall, Ampah, Guiu, George.
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls, Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Honohan, O’Neil, Poom, Watts, Burns; Farrugia, Kenny.
Who is the referee?
French referee Willy Delajod will be the match official. He will be assisted by Erwan Finjean and Philippe Jeanne while Thomas Leonard will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Bastien Dechepy and he will be assisted by Jeremie Pignard.
What channel will Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers be on?
Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and Discovery+.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at Stamford Bridge will be at 20:00 GMT on Thursday 19th December 2024.
Odds
Chelsea – 1/18
Draw – 12/1
Shamrock Rovers – 22/1
Read – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 19th
See more – Remembering December 2006’s Goal of the Month competition
