How Chelsea could line up against Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening with a home match against city rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues suffered defeat to Manchester City in Sunday's EFL Cup final and were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United in the fifth round last week.

A bad week or so could get even worse for Maurizio Sarri if his side give up further ground on the top four in midweek, with reports suggesting that the visit of Spurs could potentially be his final match in charge.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Sarri may set out his side for the huge showdown in West London.

Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee) Doubtful: Davide Zappacosta (flu), Danny Drinkwater (tendon), Gary Cahill (back), Kepa Arrizabalaga (hamstring)

> Click here to see the latest Chelsea injury and suspension news

The EFL Cup final defeat at Wembley was marred by Kepa's astonishing decision to defy his manager, who had Willy Caballero lined up to come on for the penalty shootout.

Kepa pulled up with a niggling injury that rendered him doubtful in the days leading up to the game, but he refused to leave the pitch and Sarri was left furious in the dugout.

The world's most expensive goalkeeper may pay the price by losing his place in the side, though Sarri was keen to play down the "misunderstanding" after the match and selecting Kepa on Wednesday would surely help to put an end to the story.

Marcos Alonso is another who has allegedly fallen out with Sarri, seeing him miss out against Man City, though there is a chance that he will return in midweek in place of Emerson Palmieri.

Rotation is also expected in midfield and attack, with Mateo Kovacic in line to replace Ross Barkley in a like-for-like switch and both Gonzalo Higuain and Callum Hudson-Odoi pushing for inclusion alongside Eden Hazard.

> Click here to see how Tottenham Hotspur could line up for this match