Predicted Chelsea Line-up To Face Qarabag In Champions League
Antonio Conte’s men managed to pick up yet another victory in the Premier League at the weekend, on their trip to West Brom. They are back in action in the Champions League this week when they travel to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag FC on Wednesday. The loss against AS Roma in the previous match-day of the competition sees the Blues stand a point below their Italian counterparts in their group.
They have a chance to push ahead, in this tricky fixture. The previous meeting between the two teams ended in a comfortable victory for Conte’s men and one can expect a similar result here as well.
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Victor Moses and Michy Batshuayi are both ruled out of this game and remain the only injury problems for the club this week. Conte otherwise has a healthy squad to choose from but it will be interesting to see if he will push David Luiz back into the first-team, after the spat he had with the player.
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Antonio Conte
GK – Thibaut Courtois
The first choice shot-stopper for Chelsea, Courtois will expect an easy game, like the time he had in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
CB – Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spaniard has started each and every league game under Conte and is one of the first names on the team sheet for the Blues.
CB – Thomas Christensen
With the game against Liverpool looming large at the weekend, Conte can take a chance and push the young Christensen into the starting XI at the heart of the defence for his side.
CB – Antonio Rudiger
The German ace has not been consistent so far but at the highest stage, he will hope to put in a solid performance against Qarabag.
RWB – Davide Zappacosta
With Victor Moses out injured, Conte has his hands tied and will have to use Zappacosta in this game.
CM – N’Golo Kante
The French international is slowly showing signs of his previous form and is expected to have a field day against their Azerbaijan rivals.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
The Spanish playmaker should be preferred over Bakayoko, who has been less than impressive. Cesc would add some creativity to the Blues’ midfield.
LWB – Marcos Alonso
The Spanish ace has been productive at wing-back for Chelsea and with no backups in the squad, he should start this game.
RW – Pedro
The Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order as Conte has decided to go with three midfielders in the last few games. However, he should be back in action for this game, which is expected to be a lot easier.
LW – Eden Hazard
Conte would ideally have wanted to rest Hazard, to keep him fit for the weekend but their position in the UCL group table will compel the manager to use his trump card from Belgium.
ST – Alvaro Morata
The Spanish striker has been in decent form this season in front of goal and is expected to add to his tally when he faces Qarabag.