Have you ever travelled for eight hours and then played at sub-zero temperatures? Chelsea will!

The match against the Kazakh Astana normally wouldn't be considered a massive challenge for Chelsea, especially after glancing at the table, as the Blues top it with a maximum of 12 points, while their rivals collected only four.

However, Enzo Maresca's squad will be up for a major task, given that the conditions are far from easy. Namely, upon arriving in Kazakhstan, the Blues were greeted by a temperature of -11°C! Moreover, the flight lasted eight hours, meaning Chelsea's delegation would spend as many as 16 hours on the plane!

For the Blues boss, it's not normal, especially since he and his crew will arrive in London on Friday around 6 am and play their Premier League clash against Brentford at 8 pm on Sunday.

"Eight hours [one way] is not a normal time [to travel] for a game, but we have to go there, we have to play and we want to try to do our best, thinking also about the next game," Maresca said at the pre-match press conference via BBC Sport.

Despite having the popular "Cold" Palmer in their squad, the Blues will today feel the power of glacial temperature and will have to adapt quickly. Otherwise, the home team could have a significant advantage from the beginning.

Lampard and Terry send powerful message to Palmer after beating Spurs

As per The Guardian, the former Arsenal player, the Russian Andriy Arshavin - who was not a stranger to playing in low temperatures - once said, "In those situations the only thing for it is to wear something warmer and keep moving around." And that's probably the best piece of advice for Maresca's boys ahead of today's game (18.30).

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ROUND 5

Thursday

16.00: (3.20) Vikingur (3.40) Djurgarden (2.25)

18.30: (8.50) Astana (5.50) Chelsea (1.33)

20.45: (2.60) Basaksehir (3.25) Heidenheim (2.80)

20.45: (1.40) Copenhagen (4.60) Hearts (8.00)

20.45: (1.48) Dinamo Minsk (4.10) Larne (7.50)

20.45: (1.38) Fiorentina (4.80) LASK (8.50)

20.45: (4.90) Helsinki (3.60) Molde (1.75)

20.45: (2.00) Legia (3.50) Lugano (3.70)

20.45: (3.05) Noah (3.15) Apoel Nicosia (2.45)

20.45: (2.15) Olimpija (3.30) Cercle Brugge (3.50)

20.45: (12.0) Petrocub (6.50) Betis (1.22)

23.00: (1.33) Gent (5.50) TSC Backa Topola (8.50)

23.00: (2.15) M.Boleslav (3.45) Jagiellonia (3.35)

23.00: (2.95) Omonia (3.40) Rapid (2.40)

23.00: (1.55) Paphos (4.10) Celje (6.00)

23.00: (2.35) Shamrock (3.25) Borac Banja Luka (3.15)

23.00: (2.95) St.Galen (3.40) Guimaraes (2.40)

23.00: (10.0) TNS (5.10) Panathinaikos (1.32)

***odds are subject to change***