Chelsea continue their FA Cup campaign later today with an intriguing trip to the Riverside Stadium to play away at Championship club Middlesbrough.
The Blues, who are formidable in cup competitions under their manager Thomas Tuchel, will be strong favourites to reach the domestic semi-final.
However, Saturday’s opponents are not to be taken lightly. In fact, Boro have already eliminated Manchester United and Tottenham in this season’s FA Cup.
Chelsea came through a Champions League tie away to Lille on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win, which has set up a European quarter-final against Real Madrid.
The Chelsea Chronicle predicts Tuchel is going to make five changes to the line-up from the Lille match for this weekend’s visit to Boro. It’s still a very strong XI on paper given the depth in the squad at Stamford Bridge, though.
Two changes at the back
Firstly, expect goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to come into the side in place of teammate Edouard Mendy.
The second change could see Trevoh Chalobah, who was needed off the bench against Lille, come into the starting team. He may replace Andreas Christensen, with Tuchel confirming possible doubts over his fitness going into the Boro clash.
Elsewhere, experienced centre-backs Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger remain in the XI for the final game before a short international break.
Familiar Chelsea midfield
Despite a few options for Tuchel to shuffle his pack, we predict the midfield will have a similar look to it.
N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic remain in the centre of the park, while wing-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso continue after impressive displays in Europe.
Tuchel confirmed yesterday that Reece James is training but was “uncertain” about his availability in the FA Cup, similar to teammates Christensen and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Blues can go a long way to beating today’s Championship side if they boss the midfield.
Three changes in fresh Blues attack
A 3-4-3 system against Boro means central midfielder Jorginho drops out after starting away to Lille.
In addition, attackers Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz drop to the bench. They’re both looking very dangerous right now and making compelling cases for themselves, but expect Tuchel to rotate the group in the FA Cup.
£33million winger Hakim Ziyech, who’s looked really encouraging in 2022, returns to the side on the right wing.
Mason Mount’s back in the starting line-up after an impressive cameo on Wednesday. Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku gets a much-needed start, too.
Predicted line-up
Kepa
Chalobah Silva Rudiger
Azpilicueta Kovacic Kante Alonso
Ziyech Lukaku Mount
IN: Kepa, Chalobah, Ziyech, Lukaku, Mount
OUT: Mendy, Christensen, Jorginho, Pulisic, Havertz
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