After a forgettable outing against Valencia in the Champions League, Chelsea put in a brave performance against league leaders Liverpool in the domestic league at the weekend.
Frank Lampard’s side had a lot of positives to take from that outing, and will look to go a step better when they face Grimsby Town in the League Cup, for their third consecutive game at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Jolley’s men have won each of their last two League Two clashes and knocked Doncaster and Macclesfield Town in the last two rounds of this competition. But they face a quality side in Chelsea this week and will be big underdogs going into this game.
Here is the predicted lineup Lampard might field to try and take Chelsea to the fourth round of the League Cup for the ninth consecutive season:
Chelsea Team News
In early team news, the Blues are still without Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, both of who are nursing injuries.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is back in training and will start — as revealed by Lampard — along with Reece James, both of who are back in training. Emerson picked aggravated his injury against Liverpool and will not be risked for this game.
Predicted Chelsea lineup (4-2-3-1) vs Grimsby Town
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will only be on the bench, as Willy Caballero will get his chance under the bar.
Reece James is fit and will try to impress at right-back while young Dutch star Ian Maatsen has caught the eye of many recently and deserves to get a chance at left-back.
Kurt Zouma should be back in action and will start at the heart of the defence alongside Marc Guehi, who was one of the standout performers for the Blues in the pre-season.
Midfield
18-year old Billy Gilmour is unlucky to not get his chances in the first team, having proven himself time and again at the academy. He will start in a two-man alongside Ross Barkley, giving Chelsea’s first team midfield options some rest in this game.
Attack
With Barkley playing in a deeper role, Lampard should give Christian Pulisic a chance in an advanced role. The American international will get a chance to impress in the no.10 role against the League Two outfit.
Callum Hudson-Odoi will get his first start of the season back from injury. He will start on the left flank while Pedro, who was an unused substitute against Liverpool, will add some experience to the Chelsea attack on the right flank.
Michy Batshuayi came off the bench at the weekend but did not make too much of an impact. He could lead the line for his side, keeping Olivier Giroud on the bench for this League Cup tie.
Here is how they might lineup:
