Matchday 6 in the 2024/25 Conference League group stage sees Chelsea (England) face Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) on December 19 at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers: prediction, betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Willy Delajod (France)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 44%.
Predicted lineups for Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers
Chelsea (4-3-3): Filip Jorgensen – Axel Disasi, Joshua Achimpong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga – Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka – Mark Guiu, Tyrique George, Pedro Neto.
Shamrock Rovers (4-5-1): Leon Pohls – Joshua Honohan, Daniel Cleary, Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes – Dylan Watts, Markus Poom, Gary O'Neill, Neil Farrugia, Darragh Burns – Johnny Kenny.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Chelsea
The London side has secured a place in the Conference League playoffs, advancing directly to the Round of 16. The English club has confidently defeated all their opponents by a margin of two or more goals. In the last round, the team, with a rotated squad, defeated Astana 3-1 away, scoring all three goals before halftime. Notably, Enzo Maresca's side has scored the most goals in the Conference League group stage – 21 in total.
- In 4 of their last 5 matches in this tournament, Chelsea has scored at least three goals.
- Three or more goals have been scored in 5 of Chelsea's last 6 matches in the Conference League.
- In their last 8 home European matches, the English side has conceded just one goal in the first half.
Shamrock Rovers
The Irish side thrashed Borac 3-0 at home in the last round. This marked their third win in the group stage. Stephen Bradley's team has also drawn twice. As a result, the club sits in a high 6th place with 11 points and has secured a spot in the tournament playoffs, albeit in the Round of 32. The team will advance to the Round of 16 if they win in London.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 12 of Shamrock Rovers' last 14 Conference League games.
- The club has secured only 3 wins in their last 15 matches in this tournament (4 draws and 8 losses).
- The Irish side has lost 5 of their last 7 away matches in the Conference League (1 win and 1 draw).
Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers: Match Prediction
The London team can afford to lose the final group stage match as they are already assured of a top-eight finish. However, Enzo Maresca has such a wide selection of players that he can field not only a second-string team but also youth players who can easily handle the Irish side. This is exactly what the English manager did in Kazakhstan in the previous round, and his team secured a confident victory by halftime.
Chelsea has defeated all their opponents in this tournament by at least two goals. They have overcome strong mid-table teams like Gent (4-2), Panathinaikos (4-1), and Heidenheim (2-0). In contrast, Shamrock Rovers had a very easy schedule, with their toughest opponent being Rapid (1-1). I am confident that the Irish side will suffer a heavy defeat in England, as they not only lack experience against opponents of this level but also significantly trail Chelsea in terms of player quality.
My prediction – Chelsea with a handicap (-2.5)
