Chelsea will be aiming to do the double over AC Milan when they head to San Siro in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Pensioners moved to the second spot in Group E with a convincing 3-0 win over Milan last week, tying them on points with the Italian champions. Goals from Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reece James sealed the deal at Stamford Bridge, handing the west Londoners their first win in the Champions League this term.
Graham Potter will be hoping to make it four wins in a row altogether having beaten Wolves 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
Chelsea Team News
Wesley Fofana is definitely out with the knee injury that he sustained against Milan at Stamford Bridge. N’Golo Kante remains doubtful as he recovers fully from a hamstring problem after returning to training last week.
Other than Fofana and Kante, Graham Potter will have a fully fit squad to fly to Italy.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs AC Milan (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Graham Potter rotated his squad heavily over the weekend, making seven changes against Wolves. He is set to revert to a back three system and go with his strongest XI against Milan.
Starting with the goalkeeping position, Kepa Arrizabalaga has not put a foot wrong since being recalled into the side by Potter, thus, he keeps his place in the Chelsea lineup intact.
Defence
Starting in a 3-4-2-1 formation, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly could form the three-man backline for Chelsea. Silva was absent from the matchday squad against Wolves but is expected to walk straight back into the Chelsea lineup, with Chalobah and Koulibaly retaining their places in defence.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Marc Cucurella will offer cover for defensive positions.
Midfield
Potter could opt for a double pivot of Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the Chelsea lineup at San Siro. Kovacic and Loftus-Cheek are likely to face the tough task of nullifying the Milan midfield while creating chances for the Blues’ offensive players in the final third.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell will provide creativity and energy from the wing-back positions, as well as balance to Potter’s side.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be fresh to lead the line for Chelsea after being an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend. Along with Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount, Aubameyang will look to terrify the Milan backline by making smart runs in behind.
How well Sterling and Mount combine in the final third and provide service to Aubameyang in the box could play a big role in deciding the outcome of the tie. Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Armando Broja will have to be content with a spot on the bench as they hope to impress as late-game substitutes if called upon by the manager.