Chelsea will travel to the Mestalla Stadium to clash heads with Valencia hoping to secure all three points on the road. The Pensioners are coming into this game at the back of 2-1 loss away at Manchester City last weekend.
Frank Lampard is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation and might make two changes to his side for this encounter versus Albert Celades’s men.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Valencia
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will retain his place in between the sticks for the Pensioners despite shipping in two goals against Man City last weekend. Kurt Zouma will once again hope to strike up a solid partnership with Fikayi Tomori at the centre of the Chelsea backline. Both centre-halves have been in impressive form for Lampard’s team this season so they will look to continue their good work versus Valencia in midweek.
Reece James could come into the side and operate as the right-back. The English youngster has shown this season that he has the pace to get to the by-line and whip in some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty box. Emerson Palmieri will get the nod to start in the left-back position.
The visiting team will have no room for errors on Wednesday as they have to get maximum points to ensure qualification. Lampard would expect his defenders to keep things tight at the back so that the front players can get the ideal platform to go on and snatch the victory up top.
Midfield
The Chelsea midfield could be comprised of Mason Mount, Jorginho and Matteo Kovacic as Lampard looks to hand a well-deserved rest to N’Golo Kante who was heavily involved against the Citizens last weekend. Ross Barkley is unlikely to recover in time for this clash at the Mestalla Stadium.
Attack
Lampard might choose to go with the same frontline that started against the English champions last Saturday. Christian Pulisic and Willian will feature as the wingers while Tammy Abraham leads the attack down the middle.
Both Abraham and Pulisic were enjoying a decent run of form before the international break so the dynamic duo will be desperate to return to their goal-scoring ways in midweek.
