Chelsea will entertain Slavia Prague at Stamford Bridge later this week as they look to avoid defeat and secure qualification into the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League. The Pensioners are carrying a narrow one-goal lead from the first leg so they would be heavy favourites to get the job done on Thursday night.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation and might choose to deploy Olivier Giroud as the centre-forward.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Slavia Prague
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal for the West London outfit despite shipping in two goals against Liverpool last weekend. The defensive pair of Andreas Christensen and David Luiz will protect the Spanish keeper as they try to put in another dominant performance at the heart of Sarri’s backline. Cesar Azpilicueta might be rested in midweek so Davide Zappacosta will lineup at the right-back position. Marcos Alonso might get the nod to feature as the left-back. The Spanish full-back scored the only goal of the game in the first leg which is currently splitting the two sides.
The Pensioners need to defend valiantly and restrict the visitors from creating chances so that they have an ideal platform to qualify into the next round.
Midfield
Sarri could opt for the midfield three of Ross Barkley, Jorginho and Matteo Kovacic as they look to dominate possession and create a few opportunities for the front players. Both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and NGolo Kante might be rested in this game with a vital league clash versus Burnley looming on the horizon.
If the Pensioners can find a way to get a stranglehold in midfield, they should have enough firepower up top to get the win on Thursday night.
Attack
The Chelsea frontline will be comprised of Eden Hazard and Willian operating on the flanks while Olivier Giroud lines up as a centre-forward up top. The French talent has been Sarri’s most effective striker this season so we can expect a strong showing from him.
However, all eyes will be on Hazard as the Belgian looks to wreak havoc in the final third. Willian will also be a tricky prospect to cope with for the Slavia Prague defenders.
