Chelsea will be facing their final opponent of the Group C in the Champions League tomorrow night, as they host Serie A side AS Roma at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte will be facing an Italian opposition for the first time as a Chelsea boss, and will surely value tomorrow’s game like it would be a tournament final.
Chelsea have a chance to make it three wins out of three tomorrow, but it won’t be easy with big injuries damaging Conte’s favoured team selection.
Alvaro Morata should be fit to start against Roma, but N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Victor Moses are all definitely ruled out of the vital late-night clash.
But how will the rest of the team line up tomorrow? Here’s our predicted line-up for the game…
Goalkeeper:
Thibaut Courtois – No explanations needed, will most definitely start tomorrow.
Defence:
Antonio Rudiger – Could be in the starting line-up to face his former side tomorrow, but a lot depends on whether Conte is to use Azpilicueta or Zappacosta in the right wing-back’s position. The German international has looked better and better every time he has played for the Blues, and just recently scored his first goal for his country. He’ll be determined to show his ex-teammates he made the right move.
David Luiz – Unlikely to be dropped for Andreas Christensen in such big match despite the Brazilian’s unimpressive display away at Crystal Palace this Saturday. If Christensen would be given the chance to shine, he’d surely make the most of it.
Gary Cahill – Cahill’s performance against Palace was probably the best from all Chelsea defenders that day. Not that it would’ve been a good performance, but certainly a bit better than the rest, and he’s thus likely to start against Roma as well.
Midfield:
Cesar Azpilicueta – With Moses out of the line-up, it’s either Davide Zappacosta or Azpilicueta who gets the call-up to the right wing-back’s position. The reason why we’re going for Azpilicueta instead of Zappacosta here is simple; Conte has been reluctant to hand his countryman a starting place just yet, as he has mainly favoured Azpilicueta to play in the RWB’s position when Moses has been absent. Zappacosta played better than Azpiliceta againt Crystal Palace after coming on in the first half, and has experience against Italian sides as well, but it’s unlikely that he’s ready to start in such big fixture.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – Scored a great goal and was one of the Blues’ best players against Crystal Palace. Big things are expected from the Frenchman with Kante out of the squad! Wonder if he’s to keep his promise of dying his hair blue?
Cesc Fabgreas – Created so many great chances last Saturday and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself. Will continue to partner Bakayoko in the two-man midfield tomorrow night.
Marcos Alonso – Will most definitely remain in the starting line-up. Hopefully the recent Barcelona links will make him perform at his best!
Attack:
Eden Hazard – The Belgian star was very quiet alongside the whole attacking trio on Saturday afternoon. He loves to shine in big games though, and if he can turn up the style like he did against Atletico, there should be a cracking performance to come from him tomorrow night. Should Morata be unable to start, Hazard could even take the number nine spot instead of Michy Batshuayi.
Alvaro Morata – If fit, he’s a definite starter. Batshuayi didn’t take his chance to impress the boss last Saturday and stays behind the Spaniard in Conte’s pecking order. Hopefully Morata won’t be picked if he’s not fully recovered, as Hazard could as well do the job as an interim striker.
Pedro – Willian’s performances have looked worse and worse now, and it’s time to start Pedro ahead of the furry-headed Brazilian. It’s no use keeping Pedro on the bench if he’s obviously a better pick than Willian.
That concludes our predicted Chelsea line-up to face AS Roma tomorrow. How would you like to see us set up tomorrow?
