Chelsea will be looking to extend their winning run when they take on Gent on Thursday.
Best betting tips for Chelsea vs Gent
Chelsea to win and both teams to score – 21/20 with Betano
Over 3.5 goals – 37/40 with Betano
Christopher Nkunku to score any time – 20/23 with Betano
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Chelsea vs Gent odds
Find the latest match odds for Chelsea vs Gent. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football bookmakers. Odds are subject to change.
Chelsea vs Gent predictions
Whisper it, but Chelsea might have finally got their act together.
Their season started with a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City, while Chelsea also dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. That game came immediately after the conclusion of another chaotic transfer window at Stamford Bridge.
Since then, however, Enzo Maresca’s men have been largely excellent. Their last four games in all competitions have produced four victories.
Granted, one of those was in the EFL Cup against League Two Barrow, but Chelsea have also beaten Bournemouth, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion over the last few weeks.
The underlying numbers are pretty impressive too. Expected goals difference, which compares the quality of chances a team creates and concedes, ranks Chelsea fourth in the Premier League, behind only Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. That suggests their performances have been as good as their results.
Now that a top-four finish in the Premier League looks like a realistic objective, it will be interesting to see how seriously Chelsea take the Conference League.
On the one hand the Blues need to start winning trophies on a regular basis again. They have not been lifting enough silverware of late to turn their nose up at a prize like this.
At the same time, it is important both on and off the pitch that Chelsea return to Europe’s top table as quickly as possible.
It looks like Chelsea intend to use the league phase of this competition as a chance to give game time to fringe members of their squad. For evidence of that, consider the fact that Cole Palmer has not been included in the 27-man group. Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana have also been left out.
That does not mean Maresca will not take Chelsea’s six games in the league phase seriously. There is enough depth in the squad for the Blues to name a strong side even if they rotate heavily.
A top-eight finish is the objective for the west Londoners, who will want to secure a direct place in the round of 16 after Christmas.
Chelsea vs Gent betting tips. 18+ GambleAware.org – Please play responsibly.
Chelsea vs Gent betting tips
Chelsea are strong favourites to get the better of Gent on matchday one of the Conference League.
Chelsea to win and both teams to score
There is still room for improvement at Chelsea, though, particularly in the defensive part of the pitch.
The Blues have conceded two goals in half of their six Premier League encounters so far this season. Brighton were the latest team to strike twice against Chelsea on Saturday.
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That gives Gent some hope for their trip to Stamford Bridge. Bear in mind, too, the Belgian outfit will be facing a Chelsea backline that is not at full strength.
The Blues could line up with a back four of Josh Acheampong, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Renato Veiga in front of deputy goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Gent have only drawn a blank in one of their last 10 outings, but they will struggle to avoid defeat by Chelsea.
Tip Chelsea to win and both teams to score at 21/20 with Betano
Over 3.5 goals
Palmer will not play on Thursday, while Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho are likely to be held back for Sunday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
The likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku will be given a chance to impress, and all four attackers will be keen to make the most of that opportunity.
Even when they named weakened sides to face Servette and Barrow in recent home games, Chelsea scored a combined seven goals.
Goals could therefore be on the cards. Chelsea will look to take the game to Gent, but the Belgian side are capable of punching back.
Back over 3.5 goals at 37/40 with Betano
Christopher Nkunku to score any time
Nkunku endured a frustrating debut season at Chelsea, with injury ruling him out for a large chunk of 2023/24.
He was included in Maresca’s starting XI in the first couple of weeks of the current campaign, but then lost his place in the Premier League team.
Nkunku struck a hat-trick in the aforementioned triumph over Barrow last month and he will know that a similarly strong performance here could help him force his way back into Chelsea’s first team.
Nkunku does his best work as a second striker, but he may have to give up that role to Felix against Gent. With Jackson likely to be rested, Nkunku is the obvious choice to start up front.
However, that means Nkunku is likely to lead the line and thus be closer to the opposition goal, thus increasing his chances of making the net bulge.
At odds just shy of evens, it is well worth taking up this wager.
Choose Christopher Nkunku to score any time at 20/23 with Betano
How to watch Chelsea vs Gent
Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England.
Date and time: Thursday 3rd October, 8pm.
How to watch: TNT Sports 1.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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