Chelsea vs. Noah: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

There's little reason to believe that this game will be anything other than a win for Chelsea, and likely a comfortable one. The Blues are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge this season and have scored four or more goals in three of their last five home games. They've also scored eight goals in their first two Conference League games, so there is a strong precedent for goals here.

Noah have drawn a blank in front of goal in three of their last four away games in this competition, so we think they could be in for a fairly heavy beating on Thursday night. Chelsea 4-0 Noah.

This Thursday, Chelsea host Armenian side Noah in the UEFA Conference League, marking the third group-stage game for each team. Chelsea currently lead the group table with two wins out of two, showcasing a dominant start to their campaign despite using a largely rotated squad. Their performances have been efficient and effective, displaying their depth and quality even with key players, like Cole Palmer, absent from the Conference League squad. Noah, meanwhile, come into this fixture as significant underdogs but have shown glimpses of potential in their European journey so far. They sit 18th in the broader Conference League standings, with one win and one loss, and will be eager to challenge the group favourites.

• Date: 07/11/2024
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea’s campaign in the UEFA Conference League has been impressive thus far, with a 100% record from their first two games. Despite fielding heavily rotated line-ups and giving opportunities to squad players, the Blues have navigated potential stumbling blocks with ease, accumulating six points from two games which places them at the top of the table.

What makes Chelsea’s run more remarkable is the lack of urgency or apparent priority given to the competition, with the club clearly having higher ambitions in the Premier League as they chase a return to the Champions League. Enzo Maresca has chosen to leave Cole Palmer out of the squad entirely and rests the majority of his key players when these games come around, a strategy that indicates a broader focus on maintaining fitness across competitions, allowing the team to manage its resources. However, the ease with which Chelsea have dispatched their opponents thus far has been impressive and suggests their tag of tournament favourites is more than justified.

Chelsea do, though, enter this game following a dip in form in their last two domestic fixtures, where they have delivered some uncharacteristic poor performances. The last two matches, in particular, have fallen below the high standards set earlier in the season, so the team will be keen to bounce back.

Expect many more rotations here, but Chelsea will be more than confident of dispatching Noah without getting out of first gear, such is the degree of investment that has been pumped into the squad in recent years.

For Armenian side Noah, this fixture represents both a considerable challenge and a memorable milestone, as they face one of Europe’s most historically successful clubs on foreign soil. Although Noah are not traditionally a powerhouse in European football, their recent rise to prominence in Armenia and their qualification campaign shows a motivated, resilient team that regularly clears difficult hurdles. Currently ranked 18th in the Conference League, Noah come into this game with a win and a loss from their opening two games.

Noah’s qualification for the Conference League was well-earned, as after finishing second in the Armenian Premier League last season, they faced Greek side AEK Athens in a tough qualifying round, ultimately securing an impressive 3-2 win on aggregate. This result displayed a commendable ability to punch above their weight, and provided a significant confidence boost that looks to be allowing them to compete at this level.

In terms of silverware, Noah’s trophy cabinet is sparse, with just one title to their name—the 2019-20 Armenian Cup, won after a dramatic penalty shootout against Ararat-Armenia.

Currently, Noah are fourth in the Armenian Premier League, but with three games in hand on Urartu in top spot. Thursday’s game against Chelsea provides an invaluable opportunity for Noah’s players to test themselves against top-tier opposition and is undoubtedly the first time in their history that they've faced a club of this calibre.

Noah have never won the Armenian Premier League but have finished 2nd on three occasions in the last five seasons, a feat that marks quite a significant rise to prominence in Armenian football. A game at Stamford Bridge is quite a momentous occasion for the club, so they need to make sure they play the game and not the occasion, as the evening could prove overwhelming for a group of players who are not well-versed in football at this level.

This game will be televised live to all subscribed UK viewers on TNT Sports 2.

Chelsea Team News:

Chelsea will continue with their pattern of rotation here and will make a number of changes, with the likes of Filip Jörgensen, Enzo Fernández, João Félix and Christopher Nkunku all likely to start.

Cole Palmer will once again be absent from the matchday squad, while Jadon Sancho is a minor doubt.

Predicted lineup: Jörgensen; Gusto, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Fernández, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Mudryk; Nkunku, Félix.

Noah Team News:

Pablo Renan dos Santos could return to the starting lineup after missing the game at the weekend through suspension.

Gonçalo Gregório has four goals in his last five games and will hope to continue his fine form here.

Predicted lineup: Čančarević; Miljković, Hambardzumyan, Silva, Muradyan; Eteki, Oulad Omar, Manvelyan; Çinari, Gonçalo Gregório, Ferreira.

Chelsea's form is still strong despite a couple of poor results in their last two games. At the weekend, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw away at Manchester United, where they delivered a very disappointing performance against a United side that was there for the taking.

That result followed a 2-0 defeat away at Newcastle in the League Cup where Enzo Maresca's side were very disappointing, producing a sloppy and disjointed performance.

Before that, Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-1 in the Premier League thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer, which came after a 4-1 win away at Panathinaikos in this competition and a 2-1 loss at Anfield.

Noah's most recent game was a huge 2-1 win over reigning champions and title rivals Urartu, where goals from Oulad Omar and Gonçalo Gregório proved to be the difference between the two sides.

That result was preceded by a 1-0 win away at Ararat-Armenia courtesy of a Hélder Ferreira goal, which followed a 1-0 loss away at Rapid Vienna, a 5-0 win over Van and a 6-0 win over Alashkert.

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