Heidenheim vs Chelsea: Preview, team news, how to watch, kick-off time & prediction

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Absolute Chelsea

·26. November 2024

Heidenheim vs Chelsea: Preview, team news, how to watch, kick-off time & prediction

Chelsea are back on their travels on Thursday night as they face 1. FC Heidenheim in the Conference League.

Enzo Maresca's side are on the verge of securing their spot in the knockout stages after winning all three of their matches so far in the League Phase.

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Chelsea have comfortably seen off KAA Gent, Panathinaikos and FC Noah and Heidenheim, who are currently 15th in the Bundesliga, await next.

It will see another set of changes from Maresca, who returned Chelsea to winning ways on Saturday after the international break with a 2-1 victory over his former side Leicester City in the Premier League.

Chelsea put eight past FC Noah in their last Conference League outing. / IMAGO / Crystal Pix

Heidenheim's head coach Frank Schmidt has guided the German side to maximum points from their opening three matches too, with only four other sides other than Chelsea and Thursday's hosts to maintain their 100 per cent start.

"The fact Chelsea are now coming after we’ve won the first three games is honestly quite hard to believe," Schmidt told Bundesliga. But the fact is they’re not coming here for a friendly, we don’t have to pay them. It’s a competitive fixture. Heidenheim and the entire region are really excited.

"It’s yet another highlight for us. We’re looking forward to it and will look to play this game with maximum determination. And we want to make sure we have a chance in this game. We’ll take it all as it comes. It’s the next tough game. But this is something we could only dream about for many years, and now it’s reality. We’ll try to show the best possible side of ourselves."

Chelsea are likely to have Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk and Jadon Sancho all in action, with Maresca's side heavy favourites to claim another victory. Malo Gusto has returned from illness and could be drafted into the European side.

Ahead of Thursday's clash, here are all of the details you need for Heidenheim against Chelsea in the Conference League.