Why is Astana vs Chelsea kicking off at 3.30pm in the UK?

CHELSEA will be looking to continue their perfect record in the Conference League TONIGHT as they take on Astana.

Many of the Blues' fringe players are looking to break through to the first team after four straight wins in Europe.

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Last time out, Chelsea easily brushed aside German side Heidenheim 2-0, with Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk getting on the scoresheet.

Enzo Maresca's men will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Conference League table this evening but face a tricky test in tough conditions.

Not only will Chelsea travel eight hours on a plane to Kazakhstan minnows Astana, but they will be forced to play in horrific winter conditions - with temperatures dropping below 0.

Why is Astana vs Chelsea kicking off at 3.30pm?

Chelsea's Conference League clash with Astana will kick off at a bizarre time in the UK.

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The match is set to get underway at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadium at 8.30pm local time, which is 3.30pm in the UK.

Astana is five hours ahead of London - and with freak winter temperatures expected in Kazakhstan, the fixture cannot be played any later.

European games usually kick off at either 5.45pm or 8pm in the UK - but all of Astana's home games in the Conference League took place at 3.30pm last season.

Chelsea face a quick turnaround of fixtures, with the Blues set to face Brentford at 7pm GMT on Sunday - and Maresca has hinted at several changes to his squad this evening.

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The Italian said: "Some of them will be here and some of them will fly with us. More or less, we try to manage in the same way we have done before today.

"We have many young players, 17 players with us, and the rest will be here with us. Eight hours is not a normal time for a game, you know, but we have to go there, we have to play, try our best and thinking also about the next game."

How to watch Astana vs Chelsea

• Astana vs Chelsea will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2.
• You can live stream the match on discovery+.
• Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport's live blog.