Chelsea begin their FA Cup adventure on Saturday afternoon when they host League Two side Morecambe in the third round at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have genuinely enjoyed a solid first season under Enzo Maresca and are currently fourth in the Premier League. However, they have stumbled over the festive period and the New Year, going on a four-game winless run.
The West London side head into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend which came after back-to-back defeats against Fulham and Ipswich Town. So, Enzo Maresca will be expecting a response from his boys against Morecambe, who find themselves at the wrong end of the League Two table.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea remain without the services of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Kiernan Dewsbury Hall and Omari Kellyman.
Romeo Lavia has endured another frustrating injury-hit campaign, but Maresca says the midfielder is close to returning after missing the last five league games with a hamstring issue.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Morecambe (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Maresca is expected to shuffle his squad for the visit of Morecambe on Saturday, starting with the goalkeeper. Filip Jorgensen should ideally get a chance to impress, having made four appearances across the Premier League and the EFL Cup this season.
Defence
Changes are set to take place in defence as well. Reece James has been back in the squad of late after recovering from his persistent hamstring concerns and he could be trusted to start at right-back. Malo Gusto may operate from the left-back position, providing Marc Cucurella with a much-needed breather.
Talented Chelsea academy kid Josh Acheampong gave a good account of himself in his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace. The teenager should keep his place in defence but his partner may change. Axel Disasi may get the nod from the gaffer ahead of Tosin Adarabioyo to start alongside Acheampong at the heart of the home side’s rearguard.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Renato Veiga may come in for Moises Caicedo, who has played non-stop since the start of the season. Thus, partnering Veiga could be none other than Enzo Fernandez, who will be tasked with taking control of the game from minute one and dominating the proceedings.
Joao Felix may get a free role in this fixture, and the Portuguese can cause a lot of problems for the Morecambe defence with his flair, pace and dribbling skills.
Attack
Alterations in attack are expected as well to keep the squad fresh and devoid of injury concerns. Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu all could come into the starting XI.
If that happens, Madueke and Nkunku should occupy the wide roles on the right and left respectively, providing service to young striker Guiu in the box.
