Chelsea vs Djurgardens – Match preview and team news

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·8. Mai 2025

Chelsea vs Djurgardens – Match preview and team news

Chelsea welcome Djurgardens to Stamford Bridge with a significant advantage over the Swedish outfit in the Europa Conference League semi-final.

In the first leg, the Blues cruised to victory by winning 4-1 last Thursday. After first-half goals from Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson netted a brace off the bench for Chelsea. Djurgardens’ Isak Mulugeta scored a late consolation to give them an interest in the tie.

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With progression into the final a likely outcome, Enzo Maresca is expected to heavily rotate his starting eleven.

Let’s get the job done tonight. 👊 #CFC | #UECL
– Donnerstag, 8. Mai 2025

Filip Jorgensen will continue between the sticks while academy graduates Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong may also be trusted from the start.

Marc Guiu could be an option off the bench as the Spaniard has returned to training following two months out injured. There are no fresh injury concerns, but Christopher Nkunku is not available for selection due to a knock.

Djurgardens need to cause a monumental upset to advance into the final of this competition.

The Swedish outfit are dealing with multiple absentees, with as many as eight first-team members unable to contribute in SW6. Winger Nino Zugelj is nursing a broken foot while midfielders Rasmus Schuller and Albin Ekdal are also out.

Chelsea vs Djurgardens – Match preview and team news

Form

Chelsea: LWWWW

Chelsea recorded a statement win at the weekend as they beat Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez and an own goal from Jarell Quansah gave the Blues control before Cole Palmer ended his scoring drought with a 96th-minute penalty.

It was their fourth successive victory in all competitions and a huge result in their quest for Champions League football next season.

Nottingham Forest and Newcastle both dropped points, meaning Chelsea are in fifth position and only below the latter on goals scored. The West Londoners are aiming to become the first club to win all three major European trophies.

Djurgardens: WDWLD

Djurgardens are hovering over the relegation spots in the Swedish first division with two points separating them from the bottom three.

To contextualise, only seven games have been played of this Allsvenskan season, with Djurgardens playing a game less.

Jani Honkavaara’s side have already beaten Rapid Wien, Panathinaikos and Legia Warsaw in the competition this season.

However, the odds are not in their favour tonight, and their exit looks inevitable. They’ll need to score at least three more goals than Chelsea away from home to stand any chance of reaching the final.

Last Meeting: Djurgardens 1-4 Chelsea, Europa Conference League, 1st May 2025

Chelsea cruised to victory in Scandinavia as they put four past the Swedish outfit.

Their early dominance was rewarded as Jadon Sancho commenced the rout. Veteran defender Marcus Danielson tried to clear Sancho’s close-range shot on the line, but could only help the ball into his own net.

The flanks were proving to be fruitful avenues for the visitors, as opposite winger Noni Madueke struck their second.

After being denied from point-blank range by Djurgardens goalkeeper Jacob Rinne earlier in the match, the 23-year-old beat the Swedish stopper at his near post with a sweeping finish.

With seconds remaining of the first period, Filip Jorgensen was called into action. Tokmac Nguen’s pass was deflected goalward off the shin of Josh Acheampong and the goalkeeper reacted smartly to push it out for a corner.

Nicolas Jackson was introduced at the break by Enzo Maresca, a decision that was emphatically vindicated.

The striker capitalised on a miscommunication between Danielson and his goalkeeper to roll into an empty net before producing a sumptuous strike for Chelsea’s fourth.

Moises Caicedo intercepted a pass on the edge of the box that found Jackson, who performed a clever ball roll to create the space to unleash an unstoppable effort that curved into the top corner.

Djurgardens’ response was almost immediate, with teenager Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta nodding past Jorgensen.

Jani Honkavaara’s side should have further reduced the deficit. With the goal gaping, Adam Stahl blazed over from a few yards out.

Their efforts came with no reward, and Chelsea returned home with the knowledge that, barring a miraculous comeback, they would be playing in the Europa Conference League final at the end of the month.

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Gusto; James, Amougou, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Mheuka, George.

Djurgardens: Rinne, Stahl, Tenho, Larsson, Kosugi; Finndell, Stensson; Haarala, Gulliksen, Nguen, Sawo.

Who is the referee?

Portuguese referee João Pinheiro will be the match official. Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia will assist him, while Luis Godinho will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Tiago Martins, and he will be assisted by Andre Narciso.