There are just three more rounds of league phase action in the Champions League, and Chelsea are away from home yet again, going up against Atalanta.
Chelsea are currently in the top eight on goal difference, and will be hoping to maintain their position for automatic qualification to the knockout stages.
Level on points with the Blues, Atalanta will have similar ambitions, especially considering their bottom-half standing in Serie A.
Enzo Maresca’s side have failed to win since their last Champions League outing against Barcelona, and will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
With that in mind, here’s the starting XI The Chelsea Chronicle think will be fielded in Bergamo on Tuesday night.
Trevoh Chalobah celebrates goal for Chelsea against Arsenal
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
A strong Chelsea back line needed vs Atalanta
We are approaching the end of a hectic run of seven games in three weeks, which has meant Maresca has needed to rotate quite a bit.
That has yielded mixed results, especially in defence. There will have to be some change from the Chelsea side that earned a clean sheet at the Vitality on Saturday, but not so much that we have another Leeds disaster.
Robert Sanchez remains between the sticks, while Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah keep their places. Marc Cucurella is given the night off, having played nearly every minute over this stretch, with Jorrel Hato trusted to step in. Similarly, Wesley Fofana is taken out in place of Josh Acheampong.
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo running
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Moises Caicedo gets back into the Chelsea lineup
In what is sure to be a massive boost for the Blues, Moises Caicedo’s three-game suspension after Arsenal is confined to the Premier League. He can provide some relief in the midfield.
Alongside him, Maresca might feel more confident in playing Andrey Santos, to give Reece James and Enzo Fernandez a reprieve.
While Cole Palmer did not wow us against Bournemouth, getting him up to speed will be crucial, and the less physical nature of European football could be a better environment in which to rediscover his rhythm.
All changes in attack
The front line is the easiest for Maresca to rotate with plenty of options in every position.
After playing just 15 minutes against Bournemouth, Estevao Willian can come back in for Pedro Neto. On the opposite flank, Jamie Gittens — who has barely featured as of late — gets the chance to continue his solid Champions League form.
No Chelsea winger has put in a better performance than Jamie Gittens this season!
Disagree? Who and what game?
Chelsea star Jamie Gittens dribbling against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Jamie Gittens’ numbers vs Wolves Total
Minutes 90
Goals 1
Assists 2
Big chances created 1
Key passes 4
Shots 2
Touches 70
Dribbles (successful) 12 (5)
Via Sofascore
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Up top, Joao Pedro comes back in. Liam Delap’s injury complicates things for Maresca, but the Brazilian needs the chance to rediscover his form.
After being left out against Leeds, Pedro comes back in to hopefully find some more joy in front of goal.
Predicted XI vs Atalanta
Chelsea predicted XI vs Atalanta
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