Chelsea host Leicester City tomorrow afternoon in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
It’s been a pretty underwhelming campaign so far for the Blues, but they’re one game away from sealing a return to Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup semi-finals.
First of all, Mauricio Pochettino’s side need to get past a formidable Leicester team at the top of the Championship table.
The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted the starting line-up we think Pochettino may select on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, which includes four changes from Monday night’s league win over Newcastle United.
Table of Contents
GK and defence
The first of four changes could come in-between the sticks.
Djordje Petrovic has emerged as Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper recently, but we think Robert Sanchez could come into the XI and get his chance to play the important cup tie.
It’s the same full-back pairing with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella starting out wide in the back four.
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As for the central defenders, Axel Disasi could keep his place again as a rock at the back.
However, we’ve predicted a second change with Thiago Silva replacing Trevoh Chalobah at centre-half.
Midfield
Enzo Fernandez is unavailable through suspension versus Leicester, so there will have to be a reshuffle in the centre of the park.
Our guess is Conor Gallagher will drop further back the field and start alongside Moises Caicedo.
Attack
We think Carney Chukwuemeka will enter the XI and fill the No 10 position vacated by Gallagher.
It would be a shock to us if in-form right-winger Cole Palmer doesn’t start again in a must-win match.
Similarly, Nicolas Jackson is the recognised No 9 striker right now that will keep his position up front.
Our fourth and final change is for Mykhailo Mudryk to replace Raheem Sterling on the left wing.
£50m star Sterling (BBC) is a go-to player for Pochettino, but Mudryk is surely pushing the door to start after his cameo display against Newcastle this week.
Sterling is actually one of the Chelsea players in a Premier League team for players who are underperforming their xG the worst this season.
Predicted Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1)
Sanchez
Gusto Disasi Silva Cucurella
Gallagher Caicedo
Palmer Chukwuemeka Mudryk
Jackson
IN: Robert Sanchez, Thiago Silva, Carney Chukwuemeka, Mykhailo Mudryk
OUT: Djordje Petrovic, Trevoh Chalobah, Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling
