Chelsea travel to Bournemouth this weekend in the Premier League as they look to end their horrible run of form.
The Blues are currently on a six-game losing streak across all competitions, which included a 3-1 loss away to Arsenal in midweek.
The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted that caretaker manager Frank Lampard is going to make three changes to his starting line-up from the Blues side that were beaten at Arsenal.
We currently sit 12th in the league table and are locked on 39 points alongside 13th-placed Bournemouth. Who will reach the magical 40-point tally first this season? That’s not a sentence we thought we would ever be writing in May.
GK and defence
Lampard has tinkered a lot with his formation and personnel during six games in charge, but we think he’ll stick with a back four on Saturday afternoon. In fact, we are going for the same entire backline.
That means goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in-between the sticks.
It’s a centre-back partnership of Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana yet again in the heart of defence.
It leaves Cesar Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell in the full-back roles to complete the backline.
Midfield
Enzo Fernandez, who’s been an ever-present since joining in January, could keep his place in the centre of the park. We’ve gone with N’Golo Kante to start yet again, albeit in a more familiar and suited midfield position next to Enzo.
The first of three changes could see Conor Gallagher step into the side at the expense of Mateo Kovacic.
£40million (BBC) star Kovacic has started five of Lampard’s six games in charge, but we are predicting him to finally be dropped on the weekend after some indifferent performances.
Attack
Surely, Noni Madueke will retain his starting position on the right wing. Lampard praised Madueke post-Arsenal for his goal and performance by admitting he’ll now get more opportunities.
We’ve gone with two changes in the attack to complete the starting XI, though.
Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who both had really poor outings at Arsenal, could drop to the bench.
We think Mykhailo Mudryk and Kai Havertz will be promoted to the side.
Predicted Chelsea line-up
Kepa
Azpilicueta Fofana Silva Chilwell
Fernandez Kante
Madueke Gallagher Mudryk
Havertz
IN: Conor Gallagher, Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz
OUT: Mateo Kovacic, Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang