Here are the key match facts and details about Astana vs Chelsea encounters, focusing on their UEFA competitions:

TODAY'S PREDICTION

• Total goals- over 1.5

• Chelsea win or draw

• First goal to score- Chelsea

• handicap- Chelsea (-1)

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1. UEFA Europa League 2019-20 (Group Stage)

The most recent competitive meeting between Astana (now FC Astana) and Chelsea took place during the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League group stage.

First Leg:

• Date: November 28, 2019

• Venue: Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

• Result: Astana 0–2 Chelsea

  • Goals for Chelsea:

    • Callum Hudson-Odoi (65')

    • Olivier Giroud (50')

  • Key Fact: Chelsea secured a 2–0 victory in Kazakhstan, even though they were not at full strength. The match was largely under control for Chelsea, but Astana did show resilience in their defensive approach. Giroud opened the scoring in the 50th minute, and Hudson-Odoi sealed the win with a strike in the second half.

  • Key Moment: Giroud's goal was a well-executed finish, and Hudson-Odoi's contribution further solidified Chelsea’s lead.

Second Leg:

• Date: December 12, 2019

• Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England

• Result: Chelsea 2–1 Astana

  • Goals for Chelsea:

    • Michy Batshuayi (53')

    • Callum Hudson-Odoi (60')

  • Goal for Astana:

    • Dmitri Shomko (45+1')

  • Key Fact: Chelsea secured a 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge, finishing the group stage with another victory. Michy Batshuayi and Hudson-Odoi scored for Chelsea, while Astana pulled one back right before halftime through Dmitri Shomko.

  • Key Moment: Hudson-Odoi’s second goal in the Europa League campaign helped to seal the win, despite a spirited effort from Astana.

2. Head-to-Head Record in UEFA Competitions:

• Total Meetings: 2 official encounters, both in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League group stage.

• Overall Record:

  • Chelsea: 2 wins

  • Astana: 0 wins

  • Draws: 0

Chelsea won both matches, maintaining a perfect record against Astana.

3. Group Stage Performance (2019-20):

• Chelsea finished 1st in Group L with 16 points (6 matches, 5 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses).

• Astana finished 4th in Group L with 3 points (6 matches, 0 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses). Astana earned 3 draws but were unable to secure a win in the group.

Chelsea's dominant record in the group stage meant they advanced to the round of 32, while Astana did not progress to the knockout rounds, finishing in last place.

4. Key Players in These Matches:

• Chelsea:

  • Callum Hudson-Odoi: Scored in both the first and second leg, showcasing his importance in the Europa League.

  • Olivier Giroud: Scored in the first leg and provided a veteran presence in the attack.

  • Michy Batshuayi: Scored in the second leg, playing a key role in Chelsea's attack.

  • Pedro: Contributed with assists and experience, helping Chelsea in both matches.

• Astana:

  • Dmitri Shomko: Scored Astana’s only goal in the group stage, pulling one back in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

  • Patrick Twumasi: The Ghanaian forward was one of Astana’s attacking threats.

  • Dmitriy Bulyuk: Contributed to Astana's defensive efforts, trying to limit Chelsea's attacking options.

5. Tactics and Style of Play:

• Chelsea:

  • Under Frank Lampard, Chelsea played an attacking and possession-based style. The younger players like Hudson-Odoi, Mount, and Tammy Abraham featured prominently, but the likes of Giroud and Batshuayi were also given opportunities in the Europa League.

  • Chelsea focused on quick, wide play, often trying to stretch Astana's defense using Hudson-Odoi and Pedro on the wings, while Giroud and Batshuayi offered a physical presence in the box.

• Astana:

  • Astana, coached by Roman Grigorchuk during the group stage, focused more on defensive solidity and trying to hit Chelsea on the break. They often played with a compact defense, trying to limit Chelsea's opportunities to attack.

  • Astana struggled with possession, and despite some moments of quality, they lacked the firepower to break down Chelsea’s defense over the two legs.

6. Europa League Performance Overview (2019-20):

• Chelsea had a perfect group-stage performance, with 5 wins and 1 draw, advancing to the round of 32 with ease, where they would go on to eventually win the competition under Frank Lampard's management.

• Astana, on the other hand, finished last in the group with just 3 points, struggling to compete against more established European sides like Chelsea, Malmö, and Vidi.

7. Conclusion:

• Chelsea were the dominant side in their encounters with Astana, winning both games comfortably in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League group stage.

• Astana struggled defensively and offensively against the quality of Chelsea’s players, despite a resilient performance in some parts of the matches.

• Chelsea’s victory in this group stage was part of a strong Europa League campaign, culminating in them eventually winning the competition by defeating Arsenal 4–1 in the final.

This encounter was a typical example of a stronger team dominating a less-experienced side in European competition, with Chelsea showcasing their superior depth and talent.