Chelsea’s predicted starting lineup for Thursday night’s Europa League fixture versus BATE Borisov.
The Blues put in another efficient performance last weekend against Crystal Palace and Maurizio Sarri is now one domestic fixture away from setting a record for the longest undefeated streak by a new Premier League manager.
A big reason for the Italian’s feats is a luxury that he couldn’t afford at Napoli: changing almost his entire starting eleven while remaining competitive.
Chelsea are soaring top of Group L in the Europa League; while, BATE Borisov lie bottom and the trip to Belarus looks another perfect opportunity to deploy some ancillary players.
A fortnight earlier, The Blues beat the same opposition 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Ruben Loftus Cheek stole the headlines with a hat-trick, consequently being named the Europa League Player of the Week.
Most fans will be tuning in to see if the midfielder can mirror such a performance. But who will join the young Englishman in the starting XI?
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa has got the nod for Chelsea’s Europa League fixtures thus far. But at the halfway point in the group, and with qualification virtually secured, could Sarri be tempted to give Willy Caballero a run out?
The Argentinean has been favored in the League Cup. Naturally, playing so fleetingly he looked rather rusty against Derby County last week and with a quarter-final beckoning a couple of extra appearances would keep him on his toes.
However, the Chelsea faithful already adore Kepa and the Spanish stopper should start between the sticks on Thursday night. The Blues have a real chance of going all the way in the competition and there is no point chopping and changing the number one.