EFL Cup
Dec 19, 2018 7.45pm
1
0
HT : 0 0
FT Stamford Bridge (London)
  • Cesc Fabregas 60' yellowcard
  • Eden Hazard 84' goal
  • yellowcard Junior Stanislas 57'
  • yellowcard Jack Simpson 65'

How Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth

How Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth

Chelsea switch focus to the EFL Cup in midweek as they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

The Blues have overcome Liverpool and Derby County to make it to the last eight and now face a repeat of last year's quarter-final tie, which they won 2-1.

Amid a run of 10 games in the space of a month, Maurizio Sarri is expected to continue his rotation policy for the visit of fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.

Ahead of Wednesday night's match in West London, Sports Mole looks at how the five-time winners could line up.

Doubtful: Eden Hazard (knock), Alvaro Morata (knee), Victor Moses (back), Marco van Ginkel (knee), Gary Cahill (knock)

Sarri revealed after the 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion that the knock sustained by star man Hazard is only expected to keep him out for "two days at the most".

Hazard was never likely to start this cup tie, however, with Olivier Giroud the favourite to return to the side through the middle.

Options are limited in the wide areas, but Sarri has a decision to make with regards to Callum Hudson-Odoi's involvement. The youngster has impressed whenever he has been called upon under the Italian, but Willian and Pedro may get the nod here.

Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas was used against Derby in the last round and will likely be used again on Wednesday, giving Jorginho a welcome breather, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley are two more fringe players desperate for minutes.

Cahill is carrying a minor injury, but should the Englishman shake that off it may well be the same back four that started last time out in the competition.

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