Chelsea and FC Copenhagen will reconvene at Stamford Bridge for their Europa Conference League last 16 tie decider on Thursday night.
The Blues hold a slender advantage after picking up a 2-1 win in Denmark courtesy of goals from skipper Reece James and Enzo Fernandez.
Enzo Maresca’s troops maintained their momentum over the weekend, edging relegation-threatened Leicester City 1-0 at the Bridge.
The Blues will be keen to extend their winning streak to four games on the spin when they host Copenhagen with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
How Chelsea could line up
Maresca has confirmed that Chelsea’s injury woes won’t let up until after the international break when he expects a handful of first-team stars to return to the fold.
That said, the Blues will once again be without long-term absenteesNicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu due to injuries.
Malo Gusto hasalso joined those three on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury 25 minutes into the first leg against Copenhagen.
The Football Association has yet to charge Mykhaylo Mudryk for failing a drug test, but the Ukrainian forward isstill suspended provisionally.
James missed last weekend’s crucial win against Leicester due to illness but could return in time for Thursday’s tie decider.
Maresca kept his cards close to his chest when asked who would start in goal, but Robert Sanchez could get the nod with Filip Jorgensen likely reinstated against Arsenal.
Trevoh Chalobah started the game against Leicester on the bench, but the 25-year-old should be one of the first names on the team sheet against Copenhagen.
He’d be joined in the backline by Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and James.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Maresca opted for a strong midfield line-up of Moises Caicedo and Fernandez, although Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be pushing for a recall.
Cole Palmer has struggled for form and confidencerecently but should retain his place in the number 10 role, flanked by Jadon Sancho and Tyrique George, while Christopher Nkunku leads the line.
Predicted XI;
(4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, James; Fernandez, Caicedo; George, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku.