Chelsea vs. KAA Gent: UEFA Conference League Match Preview and How to Watch

Chelsea FC is set to kick off their UEFA Conference League campaign on Thursday, October 3, 2024, as they host Belgian side KAA Gent at Stamford Bridge. This match marks the beginning of the 'league phase' of the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League, a competition that Chelsea enters as one of the favorites to win, given their strong UEFA coefficient of 96.000.

Match Details and How to Watch

The match is scheduled to start at 20:00 BST (3 PM EDT, 12:30 AM IST) at Stamford Bridge. 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 United States, the match can be streamed exclusively on Paramount Plus, which offers two subscription plans: Essential for $8 per month and Premium for $13 per month. Both plans include coverage of the UEFA Conference League, along with other European competitions. New subscribers can take advantage of a 30-day free trial.

For viewers in Canada, the match will be available 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 includes access to other sports events such as the Champions League, Europa League, and more.

In Australia, fans can watch the match on Stan Sport, which offers exclusive rights to the UEFA Conference League. Stan Sport is available for AU$10 per month on top of a AU$10 Stan subscription, and it currently offers a seven-day free trial.

Team Updates and Lineups

Chelsea comes into this match with a strong recent record, having secured four consecutive victories across all competitions and only losing twice at Stamford Bridge in the past 11 months. However, the team will be without Reece James due to injury and will not be able to utilize players like Cole Palmer, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Lavia, who were not registered for this competition. Ben Chilwell is also ineligible for this match.

The confirmed lineup for Chelsea includes a 4-2-3-1 formation with players such as Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva, and Christopher Nkunku. For Gent, the lineup features Andri Gudjohnsen, the 22-year-old son of former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Opponent Profile: KAA Gent

KAA Gent, who finished seventh in the Belgian Pro League last season, qualified for the UEFA Conference League by winning a postseason mini-league and then defeating Genk in a one-off match. Gent has made a solid start to the new season, with five wins from their opening nine games, placing them third in their domestic league. Key players include Central midfielder Omri Kandil and former MK Dons striker Max Dean.

Gent's head coach, Wouter Vrancken, has described this match as a 'special' event for his team, who enter the game with nothing to lose. Despite the significant difference in UEFA coefficients between Chelsea and Gent, the Belgian side is looking to make an impact in this European competition.

Historical Context and Expectations

This match marks Chelsea's 300th game in European competitions, and the team is eager to make history by becoming the first club to win every major European club tournament. Enzo Maresca emphasized the importance of focusing on the current match rather than looking too far ahead, highlighting the need to perform well in each game to achieve their goals.

The UEFA Conference League, formerly known as the Europa Conference League, is a third-tier European competition aimed at the next best 36 teams across Europe. The top eight teams in the league phase will advance directly to the Round of 16, while the following 16 teams will face off in an additional knockout round.

For more information on the UEFA Conference League, its structure, and its history, you can explore the detailed Wikipedia page.

As Chelsea and Gent prepare to face off, the anticipation is high, with Chelsea expected to secure a victory to start their campaign on a strong note. However, the unpredictable nature of football means that anything can happen, making this match an exciting encounter for fans of both teams.

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