It’s a trip to Merseyside for Chelsea as the blues face Liverpool in the Premier league on Wednesday night. A fixture that would be mean so much in recent years will be played out like a friendly as many players will rested and youth players will be given an opportunity.
It has been a strange season for both sides, as Liverpool are unable to make it into Europe via the league table, but are in the Europe league final which will take place next week as they face Seville in Basel. Chelsea on the other hand are in a downward spiral as they cannot finish higher than 9th in a title holding campaign which is appalling for a club with such high standards.
It wasn’t the best of performances against Sunderland at the weekend so hopefully Hiddink will have learnt his lesson and rotate some players this time out.
This is the starting XI in which I hope/predict to be playing against Liverpool:
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois – The Belgian’s performance at the weekend was unsatisfactory but will remain in between the sticks at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Defence
Cesar Azpilicueta – Ivanovic limped off injured against Sunderland so Azpilicueta will return to his natural side of right back. The Spaniard has been out of form recently and has been nowhere near the player he was last season, but a decent display against Liverpool could give his confidence a huge boost.
Gary Cahill – Natural centre-back’s are a rarity at the moment as only Cahill and Miazga are available, so the former will continue in the heart of the defence.
John Obi Mikel – Your eyes do not deceive you, it does say the African Zidane’s name at centre-back. Hiddink lacks trust in Miazga and played Mikel against Bournemouth, so don’t be surprised if the Dutchman decides to repeat this selection. Clarke-Salter is also in contention.
Kenedy – The Brazilian has shown his versatility by playing at left-back a number of times this season and should start against Liverpool after Baba’s atrocious cameo performance against Sunderland.
Midfield
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – It’s a myth to why Ruben has been dropped recently but hopefully he will be given the place he deserves and start against Liverpool. Although Matic scored at the weekend, his overall performance wasn’t up to scratch.
Cesc Fabregas – The Spaniard has been playing further up the pitch recently, but if he want’s to have a bigger effect on the game, he will need to start in a deeper position.
Willian – Since the turn of the year, Willian hasn’t been in the best of form but could contribute more to the game if he was playing centrally.
Attack
Bertand Traore – The 20 year old has been frozen out of the first team recently and deserves another chance to prove himself. The Burkina Faso international will most likely start out wide if he does start.
Tammy Abraham – Abraham has been sensational for the youth team this season and has incredible hold up play so he will be capable to play up front on his own. The 18 year old has been training with the first team for weeks, so he could finally make the first team debut he deserves.
Eden Hazard – The former PFA player of the year is finally getting back into form and could potentially dictate the play at Anfield on Wednesday.
