MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 05:33:17| >> :120:11952:11952:
[monks data]
PAOK
Europa League | Group Stage
Sep 20, 2018 at 5.55pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Willian (7')

How Chelsea could line up against PAOK

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash between PAOK and Chelsea, Sports Mole looks at how the English giants could line up.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is expected to heavily rotate his team for Thursday's Europa League clash against PAOK in a bid to keep his squad fresh during a busy period of the season.

The Blues have made a flying start to the new Premier League campaign, winning each of their five matches to sit top of the table on 15 points.

The Europa League is not the European competition that Chelsea would have wanted to be competing in this season, but that is the case, and Sarri will see it as the perfect chance to hand players much-needed minutes.

Chelsea's next three matches after this one are against West Ham United and Liverpool, with the Blues taking on Jurgen Klopp's side in both the Premier League and EFL Cup.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how Chelsea could line up against PAOK.



Possible CHE XI vs. PAOK
Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee)
Doubtful: Mateo Kovacic (thigh), Cesc Fabregas (knee), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (heel)

With such a busy run of matches to come, there is no question that Chelsea boss Sarri will shuffle his pack for the clash in Greece on Thursday night.

On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic is a doubt with the thigh injury that he picked up in Saturday's 4-1 win over Cardiff City, while Marco van Ginkel is a long-term absentee.

Sarri does have a number of midfield options to choose from, however, and Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are among those hopeful of earning starts.

Further forward, Alvaro Morata's spot in the XI has already been confirmed, while youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi should also be handed more valuable minutes in a wide position.

There will also be changes in goal and at the back, with Willy Caballero, Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen all in line to feature for the English giants in their Group L opener.

> Click here to see how PAOK could line up for this fixture

ID:335814: cacheID:335814:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4487:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek in action during a pre-season friendly with Lyon in August 2018
Read Next:
Sarri explains Ruben Loftus-Cheek omission
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060

Subscribe to our newsletter


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!