European action continues this week with the Conference League on Thursday night and Chelsea v Servette in the first leg of a playoff.
Our tipster Tom Desborough has you sorted with a Bet Builder, so here’s hoping the ever-confusing but never-boring Blues circus continues.
Chelsea v Servette Betting Tips
Both teams to score – yes
Cole Palmer to score
Christopher Nkunku to score
First half under 1.5 goals
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 16/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Thursday, August 22 – 8pm
WHERE: Stamford Bridge
TV: TNT Sports 1
Both Teams to Score – Yes
The Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea started with a 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday, giving the Blues fans little to keep them excited for the 2024/25 season. The Conference League provides an opportunity to remedy that somewhat and a result against Servette on Thursday would be a start.
The Stamford Bridge crowd will want to see goals from their side against their Swiss opponents and with a gap in quality you would expect them to be capable of doing so. With Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson all potentially deployed in Chelsea’s attack they should find the back of the net.
However, Chelsea have looked very porous at the back under the Italian and you can almost guarantee Servette will get a chance to get on the scoresheet. The Swiss side buried seven passed minnows Signal in the Swiss Cup on Sunday giving their forwards some confidence ahead of going up against much tougher opponents.
Cole Palmer to score
It is risky trying to predict how Chelsea will line up for this one with Maresca having endless options to choose from. Yet, Cole Palmer is expected to be one of the first names on the team sheet, even in a game like this.
The England international had an incredible breakout season last term, scoring 27 goals in all competitions. He followed that up with a goal in the Euro 2024 final against Spain and will want to get his new campaign underway with a goal in Europe.
Palmer took two shots against Man City on Sunday, finding the target with one of them, and should have plenty of opportunities to open his account here.
It might just be worth waiting to see those teamsheets before placing your bet.
Christopher Nkunku to score
Christopher Nkunku will want to properly introduce himself to Chelsea fans this season after being dogged by injury last term. The French forward still scored three goals in 11 Premier League appearances last season and looks set to play a key role in Maresca’s set-up.
He played the most minutes for Chelsea during pre-season with 443, backing up Maresca’s trust, by grabbing three goals and one assist.
Nkunku struggled to make an impact in a relatively unfamiliar left-wing role against Man City, but he should be back in his preferred number 10 position against Servette, giving him plenty of chances to fire.
First half under 1.5 goals
On the back of struggling to get the better of City at the weekend, it might take Chelsea a while to get going in this game, and that could impact the half-time market.
The Blues won their final five Premier League games of last season under Mauricio Pochettino, but they only scored more than once in the first half in one of those games.
Chelsea v Servette Bet Builder
Both Teams to Score – Yes
Cole Palmer to score
Christopher Nkunku to score
First half under 1.5 goals
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 16/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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