UEFA Conference League Matchday 6: What to look out for

Chelsea host Shamrock Rovers with hopes of securing top spot, while Vitória SC and Fiorentina carry top-eight ambitions into their Matchday 6 meeting as the inaugural UEFA Conference League league phase comes to an end.

All kick-off times 21:00 CET unless stated

Thursday 19 December
Heidenheim vs St. Gallen 
APOEL vs Astana
Cercle Brugge vs İstanbul Başakşehir 
Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers 
Djurgården vs Legia Warszawa
Lugano vs Pafos 
Borac vs Omonoia 
TSC vs Noah
Hearts vs Petrocub
Jagiellonia Białystok vs Olimpija Ljubljana
Larne vs Gent
LASK vs Víkingur Reykjavík
Molde vs Mladá Boleslav
Celje vs The New Saints 
Panathinaikos vs Dinamo-Minsk
Real Betis vs HJK Helsinki
Rapid Wien vs Copenhagen
Vitória SC vs Fiorentina

Headline games

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers

After a Marc Guiu-inspired win in Almaty, Chelsea are the only side to confirm their place in the round of 16, carrying the last remaining 100% record into their final league phase contest – a home meeting with Shamrock Rovers. Their task at Stamford Bridge? Complete the set and defend their place at the top of the standings. Beyond that? "We want to win the competition, simple as that," said midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after the 3-1 win at Astana. They have no shortage of support in that quest from Chelsea fans, who made the lengthy trip to Kazakhstan in their hundreds. "It was really special," reflected winger Pedro Neto. "The love the supporters give to us is amazing."

Unbeaten Shamrock Rovers travel to west London after their third win of the campaign – a 3-0 triumph against Borac at Tallaght Stadium – propelled them to sixth in the league phase table. "We've got to enjoy these moments and these nights, they're special," said coach Stephen Bradley. The good news for Hoops fans is that more memorable nights will follow in the new year, as Rovers secured their place in the round of 16 or knockout phase play-offs on Matchday 5. Automatic qualification via a top-eight place is at stake against Chelsea, but Bradley wants his side to approach the game without fear. "Playing at Stamford Bridge, they're the nights that these fans, the club and the players deserve," he said.

Did you know?
Shamrock Rovers are the first Irish club to reach the knockout stages of a UEFA competition.

Vitória SC vs Fiorentina

Second meets third as Vitória SC take on Fiorentina in Guimaraes with both sides eyeing a top-eight finish after emphatic Matchday 5 wins. "Just by hearing our name, opponents have to be afraid of Vitória," said defender Baio Alberto, one of four different scorers in the 4-1 win at St. Gallen last time out. The 21-year-old, a product of Vitória's youth system, has reason to be confident – the Portuguese club lead the Conference League in attempts (120) and are fourth for goals scored (12) and ball recoveries (222). Pair that with the home support, and Rui Borges' unbeaten side are a formidable prospect. "There will be a fantastic atmosphere and that will motivate our team in an incredible way," the Portuguese coach said.

Fresh from a 7-0 win over LASK, the club's biggest European victory, Fiorentina are in similarly fearsome form. "We were able to put our opponents in a difficult position right from the start," enthused coach Raffaele Palladino. Riccardo Sottil struck either side of half-time and the 25-year-old is hungry for more ahead of Thursday's encounter. "I'm very happy with my recent form," he said. "I'm finding consistency but I don't want to stop here." With fellow forward Jonathan Ikoné getting his fourth goal of the competition, a tough task awaits the Vitória defence at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.

Did you know?
Fiorentina have lost just three of their 14 encounters with Portuguese sides in UEFA competitions (W7 D4), their last defeat against Benfica in 1997.

Making their mark

Djurgården

After starting their Conference League campaign with a draw and a loss, few would have predicted that Swedish side Djurgården would confirm their place in the round of 16 or knockout phase play-offs by the end of Matchday 5. However, that is exactly what the Stockholm club have done after claiming their third consecutive win at Víkingur Reykjavík thanks to Keita Kosugi's stunning strike and Gustav Wikheim's composed finish. Kosugi, hailed as Djurgården's answer to Roberto Carlos in one Swedish publication, only dwelled briefly on what he agreed was a golazo, before turning his attention to the Matchday 6 meeting with Legia Warszawa. "We want to help each other, trust each other," the Japan Under-19 international said as Djurgården prepare to host the fourth-placed Polish side.

One To Watch

Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers)

Stephen Bradley lauded an "excellent" all-round performance as the Hoops hit even higher heights on Matchday 5, but special praise was reserved for forward Johnny Kenny. "He's just getting better and better; some of his runs in behind were so clever," said Bradley, marvelling at the potential of the 21-year-old, who is into his second season on loan from Celtic.

Kenny was involved in all three goals – twice as scorer, once as provider – as Rovers defeated Borac 3-0 at home, taking him joint-first in the race to be Conference League top scorer after finishing with 13 goals in the recently concluded Irish Premier Division season. His second strike, a delightful chip after an incisive run, has become something of a trademark. "He loves that finish," his coach beamed.