Chelsea vs Copenhagen Conference League clash predicted as hat-trick hero emerges

Chelsea will be looking to confirm their spot in the Conference League quarter-finals when they take on Copenhagen in the Round of 16 second leg later tonight.

Goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez secured a 2-1 win for Chelsea in the first leg in Copenhagen last week, meaning the Blues take a lead back to Stamford Bridge for the second leg later today. The Blues picked up a 1-0 win over Leicester City on the weekend in the Premier League to strengthen their grip on a Champions League spot for next season, but with Enzo Maresca's side out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the Conference League is Chelsea's best chance of winning a trophy this season.

If the Blues make it through to the quarter-finals, they will take on either Molde or Legia Warsaw in the last eight of the competition. So, can Chelsea pick up a win against Copenhagen? Let's take a look.

We simulated Chelsea vs Copenhagen to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries, suspensions and transfers.

We predict that Chelsea could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Jorgensen; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; George, Palmer, Dewsbury-Hall; Nkunku.

We predict that Leicester City could set up in a 5-4-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramaj; Gocholsishvili, Garananga, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling; Claesson, Clem, Froholdt, Achouri; Chiakha.

A strong start from Chelsea saw them control the opening stages at Stamford Bridge, and their early dominance paid off when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's driven cross into the box was turned home by Cole Palmer just six minutes in. The early goal saw Copenhagen's confidence take a big hit, and just before half-time, the Blues grabbed a second to go three goals ahead on aggregate.

Chelsea pressed the visitors high up the pitch, forcing them into giving up possession inside their own half. Moises Caicedo fizzed a pass into Christopher Nkunku, and the Frenchman's early shot caught the 'keeper off his line, with the ambitious effort dipping just under the crossbar to put Maresca's side two goals in front.

Palmer, Caicedo, and Marc Cucurella were all taken off early in the second half with Chelsea in full control, and after being tripped in the box and winning a penalty, it was Nkunku who stepped up in Palmer's absence to fire home the spot kick to make it 3-0 on the night. The Frenchman was putting in a fantastic shift for the Blues, and in added time, he bagged another to complete his hat-trick.

A long ball forward from Benoit Badiashile allowed Nkunku to surge through on goal, with the striker speeding away from his marker to go one-on-one with the 'keeper. The Frenchman lifted his shot into the roof of the net to make it 6-1 on aggregate, securing Chelsea's place in the Conference League quarter-finals.

EA FC 25 predicted final score: Chelsea 4-0 Copenhagen (Chelsea win 6-1 on aggregate)

What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!

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