Chelsea host Porto in the second leg of
their Champions League quarter-final tie in Seville tonight.
The Blues registered a 2-0 win in the first leg courtesy of goals
from Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell.
They are in a good position to reach the final four of the
competition for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
Thomas Tuchel’s side go into the game
following a stunning 4-1 Premier League triumph at Crystal Palace.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Line-up:
Edouard Mendy is the Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper for the
league and European matches, and he is most likely to continue in goal ahead of
Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Andreas Christensen is available for selection after missing
the weekend game with a minor knock, but he may not be rushed back to action.
There could be a solitary change in the central defence with
Thiago Silva replacing Kurt Zouma. He is likely to partner Cesar Azpilicueta
and Antonio Rudiger.
Silva should be well prepared for the game after being
suspended for the derby while he only managed a 10-minute cameo in the previous
meeting against Porto.
It should be a straight swap in the right wing-back role
with Callum Hudson-Odoi making way for Reece James due to his well-rounded
defensive abilities.
Ben Chilwell is likely to continue in
the opposite end ahead of Marcos Alonso and Emerson, particularly after his
crucial away goal against Porto last week.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante appears in line for a start. The
Frenchman has made a couple of substitute appearances since recovering from a
hamstring injury.
It will be tough to pick between Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic,
but the latter has reportedly suffered an injury in the final training session
ahead of the game.
Further forward, there may be no changes from the weekend.
Mason Mount has a goal or an assist in each of his last three appearances. He
will certainly start.
The same can be said about Christian Pulisic, who was in
sublime form against Palace, where he scored a goal in either half.
Kai Havertz is likely to continue in the false number nine
role after producing his best league appearance of his Blues career last
weekend.
He registered a goal and an assist, but
could have quite easily bagged a hat-trick. Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud will
have to settle for bench roles.
Predicted Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta,
Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz.
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