Chelsea will entertain Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night looking to book a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a win in midweek. The Pensioners put on a dominant display away at Brighton last weekend which should give them a lot of confidence going into this match.
Maurizio Sarri’s side has recovered well from their shock defeat against Wolves and looks ready to compete in multiple competitions in search of some major silverware this season. The Pensioners manager would likely opt for a 4-3-3 formation for this match against the Cherries and rest some of his star players in midweek with fixtures coming thick and fast in the Premier League over the next few weeks.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Bournemouth
Defence
Willy Caballero will get another opportunity to line up in goal for the Pensioners against Eddie Howe’s men in midweek. The Argentine keeper has made just four appearances for Chelsea this season and has conceded seven goals at the back which would be a cause for concern.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to opt for a central defensive pairing of Andreas Christensen and Ethan Ampadu as he looks to rest some of his first-team defenders for the weekend. Davide Zappacosta is expected to start at right-back while Emerson Palmieri might operate on the other side as the left-back.
The West London outfit have shipped in 5 goals in their past four matches in all competitions so Sarri would hope for an improved showing on Wednesday night. But it won’t be an easy task for the Chelsea defenders to neutralise the threat of the Bournemouth front three which includes Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Joshua King as they have been scoring goals for fun this season.
Midfield
Cesc Fabregas will operate as a deep-lying holding midfielder looking to spray some passes in the Cherries half. Both Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek might feature alongside the Spanish midfielder at the centre of the pitch. Loftus-Cheek has scored six goals in 13 appearances for the Pensioners this term, so he would be a potent weapon in midfield for Sarri.
Attack
Callum Hudson-Odoi should get another opportunity to impress down the right flank while Willian could play on the left as he looks to bring some creativity and trickery to the Chelsea attack. Alvaro Morata will lead the lines for the home side as he aims to return to form by scoring a few goals on Wednesday.
