Strongest Chelsea XI to Face Porto: Costa and Loftus-Cheek to Start

Defending Premier League champions Chelsea are having a nightmare of a season as they are in the 15th spot in the league and are yet to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16. The Blues just need to make sure that they draw the match when they host Porto on Wednesday

Unlike Arsenal and United, Chelsea does not have huge injury concerns. Let us take a look at how the Blues line up for the all-important clash:

Chelsea will be having their Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who just returned from injury as the custodian to face Porto ahead of Asmir Begovic. Jose Mourinho will look to start his best defenders for the crunch game. It is certain that Branislav Ivanovic will start and lead the side. The Serbian, who is far from his best will once again start the match against Porto with Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta playing as the right-back. With club captain John Terry uncertain, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma will be the central defenders.

Nemanja Matic certain to start, his central midfield partner is a concern for Jose Mourinho. With Cesc Fabregas terribly out-of-form, it won’t be a surprise if Ruben Loftus-Cheek starts alongside Matic. Chelsea’s best player of the season, Willian will be the first name on the paper and alongside him, it will be Eden Hazard and Oscar. New signing Pedro is likely to miss out. It won’t be a surprise if Cesc Fabregas starts in spite of his poor form.

Mourinho might not start Eden Hazard up-front ahead of striker Diego Costa. Hazard started as the striker in the recent games and Mourinho will not take chances in the crunch game and might re-install Costa as the striker.

Playing XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpi, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Pedro, Hazard, Costa.