Heidenheim vs Chelsea

UEFA Europa Conference League favorites Chelsea head to the Voith-Arena to take on surprise package Heidenheim in good spirits. 

Heidenheim couldn’t have imagined a more impressive way to kick off their maiden European adventure as victories over Olimpija Ljubljana, Pafos, and Hearts make him one of only six sides in Europe’s third-tier competition to enter matchday four with a 100% record. Defensively solidity saw the German side concede just once across those three wins, though it’s a stark contrast to their woeful Bundesliga start. Indeed, a 2-0 triumph at Hearts remains Heidenheim’s only win in their last six competitive outings (D1, L4), with Frank Schmidt’s team throwing away a two-goal cushion in a demoralizing 5-2 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend. A lack of firepower in the front third has ominously seen Heidenheim fail to get on the scoresheet in three of their last five home matches. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea got their search for a first top-four Premier League finish in three years back on the rails with a 2-1 win at Leicester City last weekend, maintaining their topsy-turvy form across all competitions. Indeed, since a 2-0 EFL Cup defeat at Newcastle United at the end of October, Enzo Maresca’s charges have alternated between winning (2) and drawing (2) across their last four games, including a record-breaking 8-0 home triumph against Noah in this competition. The Blues have gone from strength to strength in their maiden Europa Conference League campaign, winning all three matches by a combined score of 16-3 to ascend the 36-team table’s throne and set one foot in the knockout stages.