By Alex Roberts
Because of ongoing renovation work at FC Astana’s dwelling floor, Chelsea will likely be compelled to wrestle sub-zero temperatures on the Ortalyk Stadion in Almaty as an alternative of taking part in on the Kazakhstani facet’s typical floor.
Chelsea have gained all 4 of their European video games to date, scoring 18 targets and conceding simply three, giving Maresca the envious place of with the ability to prioritise their sport in opposition to Brentford on Saturday as an alternative.
An opportunity for some Chelsea debuts
Ato Ampah, Harrison McMahon, Kaiden Wilson, Richard Olise, Josh Acheampong and Harrison Murray-Campbell have been added to the squad, with Maresca dedicated to taking part in at the least two from the beginning.
Acheampong is the one a kind of children to have featured for Chelsea’s first workforce earlier than, making his debut beneath Mauricio Pochettino final season. He additionally earned his first sport beneath Maresca for his boyhood membership of their 5-0 League Cup win over Barrow earlier this season.
Chelsea have misplaced loads of academy stars over the previous couple of seasons of their unending pursuit of ‘pure revenue’, and one other could also be born in freezing chilly Kazakhstan.
Don’t underestimate FC Astana
FC Astana is probably not as glamorous as Chelsea, however they definitely have some European pedigree, bagging shock attracts in opposition to Atlético Madrid, Benfica, and Galatasaray of their 2015-16 Champions League marketing campaign.
Summer time signing Geoffrey Chinedu has been on hearth to date this season, scoring 12 targets in 18 appearances throughout all competitions as Astana sit second within the Kazakhstani Premier League and 23rd within the new Europe Convention League league part.
Objectives have been exhausting to return by in Europe for Grigori Babayan‘s facet this season, with the workforce scoring simply twice of their opening 4 video games and clinging to their knockout qualification hopes by a thread.
Can Marc Guiu make a declare?
The younger La Masia graduate joined in the summertime however has struggled to make any actual influence due to Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku’s spectacular kind each domestically and on the continent.
He does have one purpose, nonetheless, scoring Chelsea’s second of their 8-0 battering of FC Noah on Matchday 3, capitalising on some sloppy defensive play from the Armenians.
Guiu’s urgent is arguably the strongest facet of his sport, having gained possession within the last third thrice and boasting a 100% deal with success fee within the Europa Convention League.
The sport in opposition to Astana might show to be the proper alternative for the teen to get some targets and construct some confidence.
Prediction
It’s an extended journey, however Chelsea’s immense squad depth provides them a singular benefit. On paper, the Premier League giants must be profitable each single sport the Convention League can throw at them, and the match in opposition to Astana gained’t be any totally different.
We’re going to go along with 3-1 to Chelsea.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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