Chelsea embark on their first continental venture of the season as they travel to Geneva aiming to book their place in the 2024/25 Conference League.

The Blues are in a strong position in their play-off tie against Swiss outfit Servette. While Enzo Maresca’s side struggled for large parts of last Thursday’s first leg in west London, second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and the red-hot Noni Madueke mean they take a 2-0 lead into the second leg.

Chelsea will also be emboldened by their emphatic 6-2 victory over Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday. Madueke was at it again as he netted a lightning-quick hat-trick in the second period.

Servette, Switzerland’s third-most successful club, are aiming to stage a resurgence on home soil to progress into the league phase. They gave Chelsea a few things to think about in the first leg and Thursday’s hosts will feel they’re not out of the tie, especially if the Blues are rocked by an early goal. Servette currently sit seventh in the Swiss Super League at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

Here is 90min’s guide to Chelsea’s trip to Switzerland.

Servette vs Chelsea H2H Record (All Games)

Current form (all competitions)

The aptly named Victory Beniangba continues to struggle with a muscle injury which has prevented him from taking to the field at the start of 2024/25 and the striker is unlikely to feature again on Thursday.

While his side were beaten at Stamford Bridge, Servette certainly didn’t disgrace themselves and manager Thomas Haberli could name a similar starting XI for the reverse fixture.

Dereck Kutesa will likely retain his spot down the left flank despite the speculation that surrounds his future in Geneva.

Servette predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Douline, Ondoua; Stevanovic, Antunes, Kutesa; Crivelli.

Maresca made nine changes to the team that was beaten by Manchester City for the first leg of this play-off tie and similar alterations are expected for the return leg in Geneva.

The Italian still can’t call upon injured captain Reece James, while midfield pair Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are unlikely to be risked given they’re both carrying knocks. Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are not in Maresca’s Conference League squad.

Kieran Dewsbury-Hall will be pushing for a start in the middle of the park, as will fellow new signings Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Servette (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.

Chelsea were flat and uninspiring in the first leg with Maresca shuffling his personnel around, but they were ruthless at Molineux on Sunday. Still, questions reside over the Blues’ defence.

The visitors are not a side capable of controlling contests away from home just yet. Servette will have some joy with the ball and an early goal would completely change the complexion of the tie.

Chelsea have the talent to sail into the league phase with relative comfort but the hosts could make this a grind for the Premier League side. It could be an uncomfortable evening at times for Maresca’s side, but they will progress.

Prediction: Servette 1-2 Chelsea (Chelsea win 4-1 on aggregate)

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