Chelsea learn potential Conference League opponents and could face Man Utd reunion

Chelsea have a perfect record so far in the Europa Conference League and could face Real Betis in the last 16 – with Manchester United flop Antony heading to the Spanish side on loan last month

Chelsea will face either Copenhagen or Real Betis in the next round of the Europa Conference League.

The Blues finished top of the league phase, winning all six of their games and scoring 26 goals in the process. It meant they were able to sit back and watch while several clubs attempt to qualify for the last 16 and they could now find themselves facing Manchester United loanee Antony.

Chelsea are firm favourites to win Europe’s third tier tournament, which is still relatively new to the calendar, but may have to negotiate the La Liga outfit who have helped Antony back to his best following a torrid time at Old Trafford. The Brazilian has scored three times in five outings and was nominated for La Liga’s Player of the Month award.

The draw will take place on Friday, by which point the west Londoners will be able to view their route to the final, which will take place at the Wrocław Stadium in Warsaw on May 28.

Betis currently sit eighth in La Liga while Copenhagen are top of the Danish league on goal difference. Chelsea would be heavy favourites to beat them both with the Europa Conference League their last hope of winning silverware this term.

Fiorentina, who have been beaten finalists for the last two years, are the second favourites to beat Chelsea to the trophy. The earliest the Italian side could face the Blues would be the semi-finals, but depending on the draw it could also be the showpiece event itself.

Chelsea find themselves in the Europa Conference League having finished seventh last year, only for the Red Devils’ FA Cup success to see them go into the Europa League ahead of the Blues.

Maresca’s side have dominated games, demolishing Armenian side Noah 8-0 at Stamford Bridge with former player Joe Cole stating they’re almost too big for the competition.

“Chelsea shouldn’t be in this competition, but this is where they are,” he said on TNT Sport. “This tournament doesn’t start for Chelsea until the quarter-finals or semi-finals. They are massive favourites to win it and they should be.”

Former England striker Peter Crouch said earlier this year: “Looking at some of the names, I just don’t see how they can lose this tournament.”

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