Chelsea will look to complete a perfect league phase campaign in the Conference League when they welcome Shamrock Rovers to Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
This fixture pits together two of the best defences in the competition, with only Legia Warsaw having conceded fewer goals than both of them.
As the clear favourite to win the Conference League this season, Chelsea have backed up that pre-tournament tag with five wins from five on the continent so far. Doing so with a ‘B’ team makes it even more impressive, considering manager Enzo Maresca has guided them to the top of the charts without needing to use the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson or Moises Caicedo.
The Blues remain the only team in the competition with a 100% record, and that means direct progression to the last 16 is secured, with top spot all that is left to play for.
A point will be enough to see them top the 36-team standings, as long as Vitoria Guimaraes do not beat Fiorentina by a 10-goal margin – an occurrence which simply will not happen.
Chelseawill face an Irish club in Europe for the first time, and will feel confident at condemning Shamrock to yet another defeat against an English club.
Shamrock have been hugely impressive throughout the league phase, but they have not faced a side anywhere near the level of Chelsea, and that could sadly see them drop out of the top eight at the final hurdle.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
