Chelsea vs Gent: UEFA Conference League Match Preview, Team News, and How to Watch
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Chelsea FC is set to host Belgian side KAA Gent in an intriguing UEFA Conference League match at Stamford Bridge. This encounter marks the beginning of the league phase for both teams in the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League season.
Match Background and Team News
Chelsea, under the management of Enzo Maresca, have had a strong start to the season, sitting fourth in the Premier League with only one defeat in their opening six matches. The Blues secured their place in the Conference League by defeating Servette in the qualifying rounds in August. However, they will be without Cole Palmer, who scored all four goals in their recent 4-2 win over Brighton, as he has been left out of the squad to protect his workload.
Gent, currently third in the Belgian Pro League, have also made a solid start to their season with five wins from their opening nine games. The Belgian side had to navigate through three rounds of qualifying to reach the Conference League proper. Notably, Gent's lineup includes Andri Gudjohnsen, the 22-year-old son of former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Lineups and Formation
Chelsea is expected to field a strong lineup, although the exact starting XI has not been fully confirmed. However, based on recent formations, Chelsea might adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation. The confirmed lineup includes players such as Philip Jorgenson in goal, with a defensive line that could feature the likes of Koulibaly, Badiashile, and others. The midfield and attack will likely include key players like Nkunku and Mudryk.
Gent's starting lineup will include Andri Gudjohnsen, along with other key players such as Wabe, Gambor, and Mitic. The substitutes for both teams are also ready to make an impact if needed.
How to Watch
The match between Chelsea and Gent will kick off at 8:00 PM BST (3:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM PT, and 2:45 AM AEST on Friday morning). For fans in the UK, the game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7:45 PM BST. Subscribers can also watch the match via a live stream on the Discovery+ app and website.
In the US, the match will be available on Paramount Plus, which has exclusive live English-language broadcast rights for the UEFA Conference League. Paramount Plus offers two subscription plans: Essential for $8 per month and Premium for $13 per month, both of which include coverage of the UEFA Conference League.
For fans in Canada, the match can be streamed live on DAZN Canada, which has exclusive broadcast rights to the tournament. A DAZN subscription costs CA$30 a month or CA$200 a year and also includes access to other sports like the Champions League, Europa League, EFL Championship soccer, Six Nations rugby, and WTA tennis.
In Australia, football fans can watch the match on Stan Sport, which has exclusive rights to show the UEFA Conference League. Stan Sport costs AU$10 per month on top of a AU$10 Stan subscription and is currently offering a seven-day free trial.
The UEFA Conference League is the third tier of European club football, below the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. This season's tournament features 36 teams competing in the league phase, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the Round of 16 and the next 16 teams entering an additional knockout round.
Chelsea are considered favorites to win the tournament, given their strong start to the season and their recent form. However, Gent's solid performance in their domestic league and their qualification journey make them a formidable opponent.
Follow all the action and updates from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea and Gent clash in what promises to be an exciting match in the UEFA Conference League.
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