Chelsea fans will be pleased this game is coming so soon after the weekend’s defeat at Everton. This is another opportunity to bounce back after a poor run of form, and to secure their place in the knockout stages of the champions league. Lille are the visitors to Stamford Bridge tonight, kick off at 8.00pm (GMT).
Predicted lineup
Formation 4-3-3
Goalkeeper and Defence
It’s at the back where most of the recent criticism has come. In truth the Blues have struggled all season defensively. Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to start again, although Willy Caballero is surely breathing down the Spaniards’ neck, following some indifferent performances from Chelsea’s first choice keeper.
Reece James has continued his rise, but I have feeling Cesar Azpilicueta could return to the right-back role as Lampard shuffles the pack. Emerson Palmieri is likely to start at left-back, with Marcos Alonso looking frozen out of first-team plans at Stamford Bridge.
Fikayo Tomori is a doubt after not training yesterday. But, Antonio Rudiger is in line for a return. Although a start could be too much to ask, after such a lengthy layoff, the German could still be preferred to Andreas Christensen.
Midfield
Jorginho, like Tomori, has missed out recently. He’s set to return, and I suspect we’ll see a midfield three of the Italian, Mateo Kovacic, and N’Golo Kante. Kovacic has found a goalscoring touch, adding an extra element to his already impressive game.
Wingers and Striker
Christian Pulisic should start again on the left. Callum Hudson-Odoi has a point to prove, and this is the perfect stage to do so. A good performance on the right-wing could cement his place in the starting XI. Tammy Abraham is still the Blues number one striker. The 22-year-old will be hoping to add to the goal he scored in the previous clash against the French club.
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