The fourth round of the FA Cup begins and Chelsea are drew to host their beloved West London rivals Brentford FC at the Stamford Bridge tomorrow afternoon at 0300 pm.
With a heavy Premier League week ahead, Antonio Conte will look to utilize his squad players outside the number one choices, and line up a slightly weakened side against the Championship team.
Asmir Begovic and Branislav Ivanovic are both on the edge of leaving the club, so it’s unlikely that they’ll be playing in tomorrow’s afternoon fixture.
Here are our predicted line-up for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Brentford.
GOALKEEPER:
With Begovic already one foot outside the exit door, Thibaut Courtois will most likely be guarding the Blues goal tomorrow.
Our third choice keeper and one of last summer’s few signings, Eduardo could also be making his first Chelsea appearance, but Brentford aren’t to be underestimated and Conte could take the most secure option in Courtois.
DEFENCE:
After starting every single game of the season thus far, Gary Cahill could finally take some rest with Cesar Azpilicueta preferably taking his place in the starting line-up.
John Terry and Kurt Zouma, who also were in the starting eleven against Peterborough in the third round FA Cup win, are likely to be named in the back-three as well. Despite Terry’s red card last time out, he’s surely eager to play the game right from the beginning, since it even could be his last game in the Blues shirt.
MIDFIELD:
It’s almost certain for Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah to start in the two-man midfield – just like they did against Peterborough. We’ll be expecting a fine performance from the England U21, and yes, from you as well, Cesc.
Tomorrow’s game will also be a perfect chance for loan returnee Nathan Ake to make his first Blues appearance since coming back from his successful Bournemouth spell three weeks ago. Ola Aina is likely to play as the right-sided wing-back with Ake on the left.
ATTACK:
And as the cherry on top, we have our attack. Willian hasn’t enjoyed the greatest amount of playing time this season, so we’re tipping him to start over Pedro on this one.
Michy Batshuayi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also playing quality football three weeks back when we won Peterborough 4-1, with both players performing fantastically. Batshuayi and Loftus-Cheek could even be playing together as strikers upfront, with Willian a wide midfielder on the right.
Who would you start against Brentford if you were to make that call?
