Chelsea will shift their focus to the Europa League and will look to keep the impressive form going when they host Vidi FC at the Stamford Bridge. The Blues were held in their last two league outings but the fixtures weren’t the easiest, so Maurizio Sarri will take the results.
Vidi FC, on the other hand, are the champions of Hungary. Formerly known as Videoton – a name very familiar in the European club competitions, the Hungarian giants will be looking avoid a heavy defeat, especially after slumping to a 2-0 defeat in the opening group game against BATE Borisov.
Chelsea Team news
Chelsea are likely to miss out on the services of few of their talented individuals including Ruben-Loftus Cheek, Andreas Christensen and Pedro, all of whom are doubtful.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup
Defence
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri should ring in the changes this week in order to hand some much-needed rest to some of his star players, especially after a gruelling late-September schedule.
Gary Cahill will be introduced at central defence, partnering Antonio Rudiger, who is likely to keep his place in the starting lineup with Christensen remaining a doubt. There will be no changes in goal, however, with Kepa Arrizabalaga set to start in between the sticks for the Blues.
In wider defensive positions, Davide Zappacosta and Emerson will both return to the starting eleven. Emerson, in particular, was struggling with an injury earlier this season but he will be itching to produce something of note against Vidi FC.
Midfield
With Ruben-Loftus Cheek a doubt, Cesc Fabregas will hope to come into the side, after returning from an injury last week. The Spaniard will play a vital role in Chelsea’s creative department alongside Ross Barkley, who has been pretty good whenever called upon this season.
As for the defensive midfielder, wunderkind Ethan Ampadu will surely start this midweek, after being overlooked in the opening group game against PAOK.
The 18-year-old has shown immense talent in the youth leagues and a Europa League fixture against Vidi FC could present him with the perfect opportunity to showcase his talent on a bigger platform.
Attack
Much like Ampadu, another Chelsea whizkid in Callum Hudson-Odoi was also snubbed from the Chelsea lineup a fortnight ago. But, the 17-year-old will hope to start this time, alongside Victor Moses and Alvaro Morata. The latter will lead the line for Chelsea.
Hudson-Odoi – Morata – Moses
Barkley
Fabregas – Ampadu
Emerson – Cahill – Rudiger – Zappacosta
Kepa
