Chelsea vs Copenhagen: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Chelsea face Copenhagen in the second leg of their Europa Conference League last 16 tie on Thursday evening at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were triumphant in last week's first leg between the sides, with goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez enough to give them an important 2-1 advantage to protect in west London. Gabriel Pereira's strike keeps Copenhagen in the fight but they are significant underdogs to reach the quarter-finals.

A kind run of fixtures has allowed Chelsea to rediscover some form, with their victory in Denmark sandwiched in between wins over relegation favourites Southampton and Leicester City in the Premier League. But the Blues are still far from their slick best despite three victories on the bounce.

By contrast, Copenhagen are now without a win in their last three matches, with the defeat to Chelsea coming either side of Superliga draws. They have now surrendered their lead at the summit to Midtjylland and things are unlikely to improve at Stamford Bridge.

Here's 90min's guide to Chelsea's European tie.

What time does Chelsea vs Copenhagen kick-off?

Chelsea vs Copenhagen H2H Record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Chelsea vs Copenhagen on TV - UK and US

Chelsea team news

Cole Palmer struggled at the weekend / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

Chelsea remain without the injured quartet of Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Malo Gusto, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended for failing a drugs test.

Enzo Maresca has revealed that Christopher Nkunku, Reece James and Cole Palmer returned to training on Wednesday, but that was their first session of the week. On their availability for Thursday, the Italian said: "We will see tomorrow if we can use some of them."

Romeo Lavia is finally fit again and was on the bench against Leicester at the weekend. He could feature against Arsenal this coming Sunday but is not registered in the Conference League squad - the same applying to recent returnee Wesley Fofana.

Maresca also confirmed he's yet to decide whether Robert Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen will start in goal against Copenhagen.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Copenhagen (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, George, Palmer, Sancho; Neto.

Copenhagen team news

Marcos Lopez is suspended / Adam Pretty/GettyImages

Copenhagen are without a host of important first-teamers for the trip to England. Feyenoord loanee Carlos Lopez is suspended, while Roony Bardghji, Kevin Diks, Andreas Cornelius, Lukas Lerager, Nicolai Boilesen and Oliver Hojer are all sidelined through injury.

81-cap Denmark international Thomas Delaney is a significant doubt to feature due to illness, with the midfielder having missed the last two matches.

Jacob Neestrup is unlikely to make too many alterations from the team that fell to defeat in the first leg last week.

Copenhagen predicted lineup vs Chelsea (5-4-1): Ramaj; Gocholeishvili, Pereira, Garananga, Hatzidiakos, Meling; Claesson, Clem, Froholdt, Achouri; Chiakha.

Chelsea vs Copenhagen score prediction

Chelsea should name a slightly stronger XI than the one fielded in Denmark, although that was still an impressive selection of players. Given the form of the Blues in the Conference League, it would be foolish to bet against victory for Maresca's men.

It seems a case of how many for Chelsea up against the injury-hit Copenhagen. The Danish side have the ability to cause their hosts issues but will find it difficult to rebuff the Blues' myriad of attacking threats on Thursday.

The last eight awaits for the tournament favourites.