Chelsea will travel to Germany to clash heads with Eintracht Frankfurt at the Commerzbank-Arena on Thursday night. The Pensioners will look to take a lead back to Stamford Bridge, but it won’t be easy as the Bundesliga outfit could be a dangerous team at their home ground.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation and might bring Olivier Giroud back into this starting XI for this UEFA Europa League encounter in midweek.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Eintracht Frankfurt
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will resume his goalkeeping duties for the West London side despite failing to keep a clean sheet versus Manchester United last weekend. The centre-back pair of Andreas Christensen and David Luiz will support the Spanish goalie as they look to put in a solid shift at the heart of the Chelsea backline.
Cesar Azpilicueta could feature in the right-back position as he looks to use all his experience to keep things tight at the back. Emerson Palmieri might get the nod to operate as the left-back ahead of Marcos Alonso who is arguably a better offensive threat but a worse defender.
The Pensioners cannot afford to get complacent in defence, or they might get punished by their Bundesliga opponents on Thursday night.
Midfield
Sarri could opt for the midfield three of Ross Barkley, Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as they try to dominate the ball and create some chances for the front players. Both Matteo Kovacic and NGolo Kante might be rested in this game with a crucial league clash against Watford looming on the horizon.
As long as Sarri’s men can establish their authority in midfield, they should have an excellent chance to find success away in Frankfurt.
Attack
The Chelsea front three will include Eden Hazard and Willian operating down the wide areas while Olivier Giroud spearheads Sarri’s attack as a centre-forward up top. The French talent has done well even though he has found game time limited at Stamford Bridge this season.
Willian is a slight doubt for this encounter but he should recover in time to start on the right flank. Otherwise, either Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi would get a chance to shine in Sarri’s starting XI.
