Chelsea take on FC Noah in the Conference League at Stamford Bridge on Thursday with Enzo Maresca’s hosts boasting two wins from two games so far.
It is a huge clash for the Armenian visitors and arguably the biggest encounter in their fledgling history. For the Blues, Noah will be the lowest-ranked side that they will face in this League Phase of Europe’s third-tier competition.
Heidenheim are debutants but play in the Bundesliga while the trip to face Astana in Kazakhstan has become increasingly familiar to continental sides of late.
Maresca is likely to rotate Chelsea’s starting XI from the Premier League given the registered roster differences so do not expect the same team that drew 1-1 with Manchester United to feature here.
Also, with Arsenal coming up this weekend, the Blues’ key men will be saved for that one now that the Gunners are behind them in the EPL standings. With that in mind, peripheral figures should feature heavily in this one for the home side.
Noah were runners-up in the Armenian topflight last year and now face the two-time Champions League winners in a dream matchup. With four consecutive wins domestically, they are in good form despite the massive leap in standards between domestic and continental action.
Vikingur and APOEL at home are more likely to be targeted for wins which could keep them in contention for an unexpected knockout round berth.
