Chelsea vs Gent preview: Best free betting tips, odds and predictions for Conference League clash

CHELSEA will look to make it FIVE successive victories in all competitions when they welcome Belgian outfit Gent to Stamford Bridge in their Europa Conference League showdown on Thursday.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Chelsea vs Gent preview

Chelsea continue their quest for Europa Conference League silverware against Belgian outfit Gent at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

The Blues are 15/8 favourites to win the competition outright, with Real Betis and Fiorentina considered to be their only realistic challengers for the trophy.

Chelsea just about came through their two-legged qualifier with Servette, and now the competition starts proper against Gent – who are actually fourth favourites for the tournament.

Enzo Maresca survived an early-season wobble and keeping faith in the Italian is clearly paying off with the Blues having won their last four on the trot.

Chelsea have beaten Bournemouth, West Ham, Barrow and most recently Brighton, scoring 13 goals and keeping three clean sheets during that spell.

Nobody in the Premier League has scored more goals than Maresca’s side (15), who are averaging an effort every 7.9 minutes and rank fifth for most shots on target (32).

Saying that, improvements are still needed at the back with only Southampton having had more defensive errors.

As for Gent, they are third in the Jupiler Pro League with five wins from a possible nine and arrive in West London on the back of a 3-0 victory over Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

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Chelsea vs Gent preview betting odds

• Chelsea 2/7 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Draw 9/2 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Gent 8/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Chelsea vs Gent preview betting tips and predictions

Nkunku

We got it right with Christopher Nkunku scoring 2+ goals against Barrow last week, and there’s a very good chance that he’ll deliver again on Thursday.

Nkunku, 26, is still trying to work his way into Chelsea’s starting XI – but he’s taking his opportunities when they come. The Frenchman has six goals in nine appearances – despite having only started four games this season.

He’s on penalties with Cole Palmer off the field, should spearhead the Chelsea attack against Gent and looks reasonable enough value at 21/20 to score anytime.

• Christopher Nkunku to score anytime at 21/20 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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Goals

OK, the team will change from Saturday’s 4-2 win over Brighton, but Enzo Maresca’s “second string” have played a good few matches together now and should be capable of netting a few now more familiar with each other.

The likes of Nkunku, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Mykhaylo Mudryk are all capable of scoring goals and will want to show they are worthy of starting Premier League games. So goals could be on the menu against a Gent side who’ve conceded 2+ in two of their last four matches.

• Over 3.5 Goals scored at Evens with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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