Djurgårdens IF will be looking to cause a major upset when they host Chelsea FC in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final clash on Thursday.

The Swedish side have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, but now face the daunting task of overcoming the English giants at the 3Arena.

Chelsea, under Vincenzo Maresca, are aiming to add European silverware to their season and will be keen to establish a strong advantage ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Despite being strong underdogs, Djurgårdens will take confidence from their solid European campaign and recent domestic form.

DJURGÅRDENS IF VS CHELSEA FC PREVIEW

Djurgårdens come into this semi-final on the back of an impressive European run. They finished sixth overall in the group stage standings with 13 points and have continued to defy expectations in the knockout rounds.

Their overall record in the competition stands at six wins, one draw and three defeats, with 18 goals scored and 10 conceded. Jani Honkavaara’s side rely on tactical discipline and quick counter-attacks, strategies that have served them well so far.

Their recent domestic form has been mixed, but a morale-boosting 1-0 victory against Östers IF will have lifted spirits ahead of the biggest match in their recent history.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have been dominant throughout the Conference League, winning all six group matches and nine out of ten overall. They have scored a stunning 33 goals while conceding just eight.

Maresca’s possession-heavy, high-pressing style has made the Blues a force to be reckoned with. Their recent 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League shows they are capable of grinding out results even when not at their best.

There’s no previous competitive history between these two sides, adding a layer of unpredictability to this intriguing clash.

DJURGÅRDENS IF VS CHELSEA FC – PREDICTIONS

Chelsea Win
Chelsea’s quality and depth should be decisive here. They have been outstanding in Europe this season and will look to put this tie beyond doubt early.

Both Teams To Score
Djurgårdens have shown they can score against top opposition and will be motivated playing at home. Chelsea’s attacking intent might leave spaces at the back, making a BTTS bet attractive.

Draw
While unlikely, the unpredictable nature of semi-finals, especially with underdog teams at home, means a cautious approach might be considered by some bettors.

DJURGÅRDENS IF VS CHELSEA FC – BETTING TIPS

Chelsea FC to Win
Chelsea are heavy favourites for good reason. Their attacking prowess, European experience, and squad depth make them the logical pick.

Both Teams to Score – Yes
Given Djurgårdens’ tendency to find the net and Chelsea’s attacking nature, BTTS could offer good value.

Handicap Betting
For those looking for greater returns, a Chelsea -1 handicap bet might be worth exploring, given the Blues’ ability to dominate opponents.

HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS

• Djurgårdens IF and Chelsea FC have never previously met in European competition.
• Djurgårdens have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches across all competitions.
• Chelsea have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five matches.
• Chelsea have scored 33 goals and conceded only 8 in this Europa Conference League campaign.
• Djurgårdens have scored 18 and conceded 10 in the competition.