Strongest Chelsea XI Face Manchester United In The FA Cup
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea managed to improve their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a win over West Ham in the last round but their league game this weekend has been postponed as they will be busy hosting Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, are the last team to have beaten the Red Devils in England this season and Conte will hope that his team will put in a similar effort this weekend.
The domestic league is the only competition that is keeping them busy and hence Conte can go all out with his strongest team for a victory in this game. Howver, they will have to be careful as Manchester United have slowly found a way to get some positive results. With both teams set to play again later this month in the league, Conte will want to draw first blood and finish this game off without the need for a replay. He is expected to play a strong lineup and here is the predicted lineup for the Blues for this tie:
Team News:
Chelsea have a fully fit squad that gives Conte the leverage to choose any XI he feels will be strong enough to beat the Red Devils.
Expected Chelsea Lineup To Face Manchester United
Formation: 3-4-3
GK: Asmir Begovic
Begovic is the cup keeper for Chelsea and there is no reason why he has to be replaced by Courtois for this game and should start in between the sticks.
CB: Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spanish defender has been in exceptional form for Chelsea this season and he will up against the likes of Martial and Rashford who are in decent form at the moment.
CB: David Luiz
Was troubled in the game against West Ham but has been superb at the back for Chelsea this season and should keep his place in the side for this game.
CB: Kurt Zouma
Though Conte does not like to tamper with his lineups, Cahill deserves a rest as much as Zouma deserves a first team chance and this game could be the perfect opportunity for Conte to do both.
RM: Victor Moses
The versatile winger has been a key player for Chelsea at both ends of the field and Conte cannot dispense with him for such a crunch game.
CM: Nemanja Matic
Though Fabregas has been unstoppable recently, Matic should start ahead of him in this tie to add some mettle to the midfield for his side.
CM: N’Golo Kante
The never-tiring and relentless machine that Kante is, he will yet again have an important role to play and will be up against France Paul Pogba.
LM: Marcos Alonso
The Italian wing-back has also been in fine form and has also added some goals to his game. He will hope to have an impact on this game against the Red Devils.
RW: Willian
The Brazilian winger has not been able to get into the first team regularly this season and Conte should rest Hazard from the first team to accommodate Willian on the flank.
LW: Pedro
The Spanish winger has been in devastating form in recent games and was also on the top of his game against West Ham. He should start on the left-wing in this game for Chelsea.
ST: Diego Costa
The top goal scorer for Chelsea this season, Costa is the most important weapon for the Blues in this competition and Conte cannot even contemplate resting him for this game.
This is how they would line up: