Chelsea will clash heads with BATE Borisov at the Borisov Arena after winning all three of their UEFA Europa League matches this season. The West London outfit are currently in pole position to qualify as the group winners, so this match won’t have that too much significance in determining their fate in this competition.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to rest some of his first-team players and opt for a 4-3-3 formation for this European encounter.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face BATE Borisov
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will line up for the Blues for this UEFA Europa League clash away at BATE Borisov. The Spanish keeper has enjoyed a rich vein of form of late and will look to impress in front of a hostile crowd at Belarus on Thursday night.
Maurizio Sarri could opt to start with Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill in central defence to hand some of his first-team defenders a rest ahead of the home match against Everton in the Premier League. Davide Zappacosta will start in the right-back position while Emerson Palmieri would hope to impress on the left side of the Chelsea backline.
The Blues defence has conceded just one goal in the UEFA Europa League this season which should give them enough confidence to keep things tight at the back in midweek.
Midfield
Cesc Fabregas is expected to be brought back to the Pensioners midfield as he only starts for Chelsea in the cup competitions nowadays. Both Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will play alongside the Spanish midfielder at the middle of the park.
Loftus-Cheek scored a hattrick when the sides met at Stamford Bridge last month so the English midfielder will look to get in on the goal-scoring act once again against the Belarusian giants this week.
Attack
Willian’s form has been impressive at times this season. However, he is yet to fire on all cylinders so far. This match would be a perfect opportunity for him to shine while playing alongside Olivier Giroud and Victor Moses, who have both been starved of first-team opportunities of late.
Giroud is a major doubt for this contest, but he should recover in time to start for the Pensioners.
