MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 08:13:54| >> :120:38465:38465:

How Chelsea could line up against Nottingham Forest

Ahead of the FA Cup tie between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Sports Mole looks at how the Blues could line up at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea play host to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon looking to build on a solid Christmas and New Year period.

Despite losing to Southampton on Boxing Day, the Blues earned seven points from trips to Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

However, the hectic schedule is likely to lead to Frank Lampard making multiple alterations for the clash with the Championship side.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the West Londoners could line up at Stamford Bridge.



CHEXI VS. NOT

Out: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles),
Doubtful: Marcos Alonso (buttock), Fikayo Tomori (unknown), Olivier Giroud (ankle)

> Click here for Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Given their recent workload, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante, Willian and Tammy Abraham are all expected to drop out of the starting lineup.

That should lead to a start at left-back for Emerson Palmieri, while Andreas Christensen is almost certain to come into the middle of the backline.

Mateo Kovacic is expected to receive a recall in the centre of the pitch, potentially alongside Ross Barkley, who has spent the majority of the last two-and-a-half months out of contention.

Further forward, Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi should get the nod on the flanks, with Michy Batshuayi being handed a rare chance in attack.

After impressing as a substitute against Arsenal last weekend, academy graduate Tariq Lamptey may be handed his first senior start at right-back.

Second-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero will replace Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks.

ID:384769: cacheID:384769:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5216:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action for Arsenal on October 6, 2019
Read Next:
Combined XI: Arsenal vs. Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!