After securing top spot in Group E, Chelsea will face Krasnodar in a dead rubber game in the Champions League, and we could see some rotations by manager Frank Lampard.
The Blues put in a stellar display against Leeds United, and in the process became the only team to outrun the Whites in their 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.
After a fixture and performance like that, the Chelsea first-team regulars deserve a rest. There are several players pushing for a start.
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Lampard will be without Hakim Ziyech after the Moroccan hobbled off the pitch against Leeds United with a hamstring injury. Initial scans confirm he will be out for at least a couple of weeks.
Billy Gilmour, who has fully recovered from his knee operation, will start against Krasnodar in midfield. The 19-year old came on as a late substitute to close out the game against Sevilla last week, and will hope to impress come Tuesday.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Krasnodar
Goalkeeper
Kepa Arrizabalaga might get the chance to impress in goal. Edouard Mendy has done a fine job, but with qualification and top spot secured, even he might get a rest.
Defence
Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva put in a fine performance against Leeds United, but the duo might be replaced by Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, who did a good job as a pair against Sevilla.
Emerson and Cesar Azpilicueta start as the full-backs against Sevilla, and the pair are likely to make the Chelsea lineup once again come Tuesday.
Midfield
Jorginho should start as the deeper midfielder in the Chelsea lineup, and the duo of Gilmour and Kai Havertz could line up alongside the Italian.
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The Chelsea midfield has a lot of depth, and Lampard can afford to rest the likes of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
Attack
Olivier Giroud has started in the last two games, but the Frenchman could be replaced by Tammy Abraham in the Chelsea lineup against Krasnodar. Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are likely to feature as the two wingers.
With Werner doing exceedingly well, Pulisic will want to put down a marker, and so will Hudson-Odoi. With Ziyech out for a couple of weeks, Hudson-Odoi needs to make full use of the opportunity tomorrow.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Krasnodar
