Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Saturday with a home fixture against Southampton.
The Blues are without a win in their last four games across all competitions, so the pressure continues to grow at Stamford Bridge.
Despite the poor run of form, Graham Potter’s side are beginning to play some eye-catching football without the end product in the final third. Hopefully, it’s only a matter of time before everything clicks into gear properly.
The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted that Potter will make five changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.
GK and defence
First of all, Kepa Arrizabalaga should continue in-between the sticks. Incidentally, the goalkeeper has conceded just twice in his last five appearances.
We are anticipating wholesale changes to the back four in front of the keeper, though.
First of all, Trevoh Chalobah could come into the XI at right-back in place of Reece James, who could do with a rest after a fair amount of football recently. In addition, The Athletic reports that James is going to be rested and left out of the squad against Southampton.
Similarly, it would be a surprise if Ben Chilwell starts again at left-back as he works back to full fitness. Therefore, Marc Cucurella could replace him in the side.
We are predicting a new-look combination at centre-half, which includes Kalidou Koulibaly keeping his starting position after impressing in midweek. He’s joined by £35million defender Benoit Badiashile, who could return to the XI and allow Thiago Silva a rare game off to rest.
Midfield
It could be a double pivot yet again in the Blues midfield, which is something Potter seems to prefer right now.
The fourth of five changes could see Mateo Kovacic recalled to the XI to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The impressive Enzo Fernandez will surely retain his side in the centre of the park.
Attack
There was a lot to like about how Chelsea played in the defeat to Dortmund, so we think there will be familiar faces in the forward line.
Hakim Ziyech showed some moments of quality on Wednesday, so perhaps he’ll continue on the right wing. Joao Felix seems a dead cert to play again in the No.10 position, too.
The final change of the side could be Mason Mount replacing Mykhailo Mudryk on the left wing, with the former fresh and raring to play after a some substitute appearances recently. As for Mudryk, he’s still trying to find his very best form.
That leaves Kai Havertz to spearhead the attack yet again.
Predicted Chelsea line-up
Kepa
Chalobah Koulibaly Badiashile Cucurella
Fernandez Kovacic
Ziyech Felix Mount
Havertz
IN: Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount
OUT: Reece James, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mykhailo Mudryk
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