Predicted Chelsea Line-up To Face Stoke City In The Premier League
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea dropped points in the previous Premier League game, against Arsenal, and though they registered a victory in the League Cup in the mid-week, they will look to bounce back this weekend in the league competition. They travel to the Bet365 Stadium to face a Stoke City side that has already picked up points from two of Chelsea’s title rivals.
The Potters lost to Newcastle in the previous round and will look to bounce back at their home ground but it will not be easy against Conte’s Chelsea.
Team News
New signing Tiemoue Bakayoko met with an accident while leaving Chelsea training. The midfielder has suffered only minor injuries but Conte will give an update on Friday. Danny Drinkwater remains sidelined and David Luiz is out with a suspension. Spanish winger Pedro remains the only other concern for Conte, but he may yet be able to make it to the squad for this game.
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Antonio Conte
GK – Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian international is among the best in the business in England and is expected to start this game after being rested in the mid-week.
CB – Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spaniard has been one of the most consistent players for the Blues for over a couple of years now and is one of the first names on the team-sheet for Conte.
CB – Antonio Rudiger
With Luiz now out with a suspension, Rudiger should edge past the young Christensen to start at the heart of the Chelsea defence.
CB – Gary Cahill
The experienced English CB was effective in the last couple of games and should keep his place on the left-hand side of the backline for the Blues.
RWB – Victor Moses
Though Zappacosta has made a decent start to his life in England, Conte should stick with the tried and tested Moses for this wing-back role.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
With Bakayoko a doubt for this clash, expect Conte to turn to the magical Spaniard to provide creativity from the middle.
CM – N’Golo Kante
The former Leicester City midfield powerhouse was rested in the mid-week and will be high on energy, going into this clash.
LWB – Marcos Alonso
The Italian wing-back has little competition for his place in the first team and is expected to start yet again on the left flank.
RW – Willian
With Pedro not completely fit yet, Conte might not want to risk him and should stick with Willian on the right flank in the attack.
LW – Eden Hazard
The Belgian made his first start of the season last week and with the injury to Pedro, he should partner Willian in the attack.
ST – Alvaro Morata
The Spanish attacker has never played at the BET365 in his career and will not find it easy to score goals against a tight Stoke team this weekend.
This is how Chelsea might line up:
