(4-3-3) Nkuku back in the XI”, Predicted Chelsea line up vs Heidenheim – as Maresca makes three crucial changes to previous XI
(4-3-3) Nkuku back in the XI”, Predicted Chelsea line up vs Heidenheim – as Maresca makes three crucial changes to previous XI
Chelsea are top of the UEFA Conference League table with maximum points and European debutants Heidenheim are the Blues’ next opponents.
Heidenheim vs Chelsea Preview
Chelsea have proved simply too strong in the UEFA Conference League so far, seeking yet another victory here. Earlier this month, the Blues crushed Armenian minnows FC Noah 8-0 at Stamford Bridge; Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk all on target, while João Félix and Christopher Nkunku both bagged braces.
Prior to this, Enzo Maresca’s team had put four past both Gent and Panathinaikos, emphasising why they are firm favourites to feature in the final in Wrocław on 28 May. In the Premier League meantime, the Blues reman third following Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Leicester; Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernández on target during a win that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Thus, as Chelsea venture to Southern Germany, they are firm favourites to collect three more points.
Meantime, Heidenheim’s recent rise has been nothing short of miraculous. When Frank Schmidt, who was born and raised in the town, took over as manager in 2007, they were a fifth-tier outfit, going nowhere. However, after rising through the divisions, the Red and Blues secured the Zweite Bundesliga Meisterschale in 2023 before, in their debut Bundesliga campaign, finishing eighth, thereby getting into Europe for the very first time.
Like their significantly more illustrious visitors, Heidenheim also have maximum points to their name in the league phase, defeating Olimpija Ljubljana, Pafos and, most-recently, Heart of Midlothian so far; Sirlord Conteh and Jan Schöppner the scorers in Edinburgh three weeks ago. In the league meantime, Schmidt’s team are not doing so well, smashed 5-2 by Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. This means they’ve yielded just a solitary points from their last six Bundesliga matches, winning only one of nine fixtures since 1 September, struggling to balance domestic and contientanl commitments. Nevertheless, this will be an historic ocassion at Voith-Arena, so can Heidenheim upset the competition favourites?
Heidenheim vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Heidenheim Team News
Frank Schmidt rotated his team for the matchday three trip to Tynecastle, they still prevailed 2-0, but surely will deploy his strongest available side for this one. With Marnon Busch sidelined, Omar Haktab Traoré will keep his place at right-back. Tim Siersleben has started all five European games so far, thereby likely to partner club captain Patrick Mainka in the middle of the backline, with Benedikt Gimber dropping out. Lennard Maloney, who made two USMNT appearances a year ago, is set to start in midfield.
Heidenheim predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Müller; Traoré, Siersleben, Mainka, Theuerkauf; Schöppner, Maloney, Conteh, Beck, Honsak; Pieringer.
Heidenheim Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Marvin Pieringer is Heidenheim’s joint-top scorer this season with five, his sole European strike to date coming against BK Häcken during a play-off in August, hoping to score an historic goal here.
Chelsea Team News
Enzo Maresca will continue to heavily rotate in the Conference League, but will he continue to make the full compliment of 11 changes? Reece James has suffered another injury set back, Pedro Neto is also out while Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill missed Saturday’s trip to Leicester due to illness. Meanwhile, none of Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Roméo Lavia nor Cole Palmer are in the UEFA squad. João Félix started a Premier League match for the first time this season at the weekend, but will he keep his place here? Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Mykhailo Mudryk and back-up goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen have also been regulars in this competition. A booking for Axel Disasi would see him be suspended for the trip to Astana which, considering that’s a 3,500 mile journey, the Frenchman may not be overly devastated.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Heidenheim: (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga; Fernández, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, João Félix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
