Chelsea Vs. Shamrock Rovers Prediction: The Blues Aim For Perfect Record In The European Conference League

Marq Cucurella, Chelsea's left-back who wants to set the Blues' perfect record. (photo: x @chelseafc)

JAKARTA - Chelsea will try to improve their perfect league phase campaign in the European Conference League when they host Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 19 December. This match brings together two teams with the best defense lines in the competition, where only Legia Warsaw conceded less than the two.

As the main favorite to win the Conference League this season, Chelsea have proven this status by winning five games in five games in competitions so far. More impressively, this achievement was achieved with their 'B' squad, as coach Enzo Maresca was able to lead his team without having to rely on star players like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, or Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea are the only team in a competition that maintains a record 100%, which ensures they qualify for the round of 16. Now, only the top position of the standings remains to be contested. One point is enough to ensure the top position for Chelsea, unless Vitoria Guimaraes can beat Fiorentina with a margin of 10 goals an almost impossible scenario.

In the previous match, Maresca brought a younger squad on a trip 7,000 km to Almaty to face Astana, which ended in a 3-1 win. Despite appearing with familiar players, Chelsea still showed their class. The 2-1 win over Brentford last weekend also extended their winning streak to seven matches since November's international break.

Now, Chelsea will face Irish clubs for the first time in European competition. They are optimistic that they will be able to give Shamrock another defeat, which has a bad record against English clubs.

Shamrock Rovers have previously met with English clubs in Europe four times, including two defeats against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2011-12 Europa League and a 9-2 aggregate defeat to Manchester United in the 1957-58 European Cup.

Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers performed solidly under coach Stephen Bradley this season. They sit in the top eight after a convincing 3-0 win over Borac Banja Luka in the last game. With 11 points, Shamrock remains unbeaten in the league phase, despite facing tough challenges at Stamford Bridge.

Interestingly, this is Shamrock's third meeting against the British club this season, having previously defeated Larne and TNS in the league phase. A draw against APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna is also proof of their resilience in European competitions.

However, with 10 teams just narrowly adrift of Shamrock, Bradley realized they needed at least one point to keep the position in the top eight, which meant qualifying straight into the round of 16. With a record of six away games without defeat, Shamrock has the confidence to give a surprise, especially considering Chelsea have already made sure it's slow and may lower the intensity.

Shocking news came from Chelsea, where Mykhaylo Mudryk failed a doping test last November. He is certain to be out for a long time and unable to play for an undetermined time. Mudryk's absence, who is the mainstay of the Conference League, provides opportunities for young players like Marc Guiu, who scored two goals in a win in Kazakhstan.

Young defender Josh Acheampong is also impressive and is likely to play again, given Benoit Badiashile was injured so Tosin Adarabioyo had to be saved for the game against Everton this weekend.

Chelsea also needs to be wary of Johnny Kenny, the current Conference League's top scorer with five goals. The Celtic loan player has scored two goals in a win over Borac and became the first Irish player to score that much goals in European competition since Robbie Keane in 2006-07. However, this could be Kenny's last game for Shamrock, as Celtic plans to recall him back in January.

In Shamrock's camp, only Rory Gaffney is confirmed to be absent due to injury. Bradley is expected to field the same line-up as when they won a landslide against Borac.

Chelsea have the quality and depth of the squad well above Shamrock Rovers, even with the rotation of the players. However, Shamrock's motivation to maintain position in the top eight could see them put up fierce resistance. Chelsea are predicted to win this game with a score of 2-0 or 3-1, given their solid defensive line and the scoring ability of their young players.

With this victory, Chelsea will ensure top position in the Conference League standings, while Shamrock will have to expect other match results to benefit them to remain in the top eight.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Vale, Disasi, Acheampong, Cucurella; Casawi, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Nkunku, Joao Felix; Marc Guiu.

Shamrock Rovers (3-5-2): Pohls; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Honohan, O'Neill, Poom, Watts, Burns; Farrugia, Kenny.

Score Prediction : Chelsea 3-1 Shamrock Rovers