Swedish side Djurgården are in uncharted territory, having reached their first-ever UEFA semi-final, and will look to defy the odds once again as they welcome European giants Chelsea to the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm.

For the home crowd, this isn’t just a clash against the competition favourites it’s a moment of history and pride, as Djurgården become the first Swedish club since IFK Göteborg in 1987 to reach the semi-finals of a major European tournament.

But standing in their way is a Chelsea side determined to convert their favourite tag into silverware.

Anything short of winning the trophy would be viewed as failure for the Londoners, who are seeking their first European title since 2021.

Djurgården – Historic Run, Relentless Spirit

Few outside Sweden expected Djurgården to still be alive at this stage of the tournament, especially after back-to-back defeats to open their group stage campaign.

But under the guidance of Jani Honkavaara, the Stockholm outfit rebounded superbly, winning their remaining group matches and then showing great resilience in the knockouts coming from behind in both the Round of 16 and Quarter-finals, including a dramatic extra-time win over Rapid Wien.

The Allsvenskan side might be considered underdogs, but their six wins in the last eight two-legged Conference League ties prove they shouldn’t be underestimated.

Their compact defensive setup, mixed with swift counter-attacks and set-piece precision, has made them dangerous to even more experienced European sides.

This will, however, be their first-ever competitive meeting against Premier League opposition, and the step up in quality will be immense.

The question now is whether the likes of Tobias Gulliksen, hero of the quarter-final with two extra-time goals and midfield lynchpin Daniel Stensson can raise their level even further.

Chelsea – Laser Focused on Silverware

After a turbulent start to the season, Chelsea under Enzo Maresca seem to have finally found consistency.

The Blues extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five with a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Everton, and now turn their attention back to the competition they are expected to dominate.

Chelsea eased through the group stage with six straight wins and made light work of Copenhagen and Legia Warsaw in the knockouts, suffering their only loss 2-1 to Legia when already assured of progression.

This semi-final offers a huge opportunity for a young, hungry Chelsea squad to write their names into club folklore, particularly given the lack of trophies in recent seasons.

Their European pedigree is undeniable: winners of 12 of their last 14 UEFA two-legged ties, unbeaten in nine of ten Conference League fixtures this season, and a perfect record in five previous games against Swedish sides.

Enzo Maresca will likely name a strong starting XI to avoid leaving anything to chance ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Tactical Outlook :

Expect Djurgården to sit in a deep mid-block, aiming to frustrate Chelsea and then hit them on the break or from set-pieces.

Chelsea, in turn, will likely dominate possession, pressing high and relying on the creativity of Cole Palmer, Kiernan Dewbury-Hall, and the explosiveness of Jadon Sancho down the wings.

Set pieces could be a key factor. While Chelsea boast a physical edge, Djurgården have been deadly from dead-ball situations and are well-drilled defensively.

Key Battles

• Tobias Gulliksen vs. Josh Acheampong: The Norwegian playmaker has shown he can step up in big moments. Josh will need to be alert to prevent him from cutting inside and shooting.
  
• Sancho vs. Djurgården’s left-back: Sancho’s direct dribbling and eye for goal could create havoc, especially if Djurgården’s defence sits too deep and allows him space to cut in.
  
• Chelsea’s midfield vs. Djurgården’s press: If Drewsbury-Hall and James can bypass the first line of pressure, Chelsea will get plenty of chances.
  

Players to Watch

• Djurgården – Tobias Gulliksen: His quarter-final brace not only sealed a historic victory but showcased his finishing instincts. He’ll be key on counters and in transition.
  
• Chelsea – Christopher Nkunku: With five goals and three assists in the competition, Nkunku has delivered consistently in Europe and will be looking to add to his tally today.

Potential Lineups:

Djurgården: 4-2-3-1 – Manojiovic; Stahl, Tenho, Danielson, Kosugi; Sitanen, Stensson; Haarala, Priske, Gulliksen; Sawo.

Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 – Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Gusto; James, Drewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Jackson.

Where to watch:

United Kingdom: TNT Sports

United States: Paramount+ & ViX

Canada: DAZN Canada

India: Sony Sports Network 

Australia: Stan Sport.

Nigeria: SuperSports.

Predicted Score: Djurgården 1-2 Chelsea

Prediction :

Chelsea’s quality, experience, and depth should see them dominate proceedings, but Djurgården’s belief, resilience, and home support could make this trickier than expected.

A narrow Chelsea win seems likely, but Djurgården won’t go down without a fight.