The Blues will be eager to enhance their prospects of reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League when they welcome Ajax to Stamford Bridge for Tuesday’s encounter.
The Blues are presently at the top of their group with the better head-to-head record over Ajax following their slender 1-0 win at the Amsterdam Arena last month.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has played through every minute of the league and European action this term and he is bound to make the starting lineup in goal against the Dutch champions.
Andreas Christensen is back in contention following a hamstring concern but we are anticipating Frank Lampard to continue with the pairing of Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma in central defence.
At right-back, Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to feature with Marcos Alonso getting the nod in the opposite end. The Spaniard is likely to get the pick over Emerson, who has just returned from a thigh problem.
In the midfield, Lampard will definitely rest one of Kovacic or Jorginho now that N’Golo Kante has been deemed fit following his adductor problem sustained on international duty.
It is likely to be Kovacic in this case, considering Jorginho will be suspended for the weekend’s league game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign.
In the attack, no changes are expected from recent outings. Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Willian are pretty much assured of their places behind Tammy Abraham.
Predicted Chelsea lineup: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Pulisic, Mount, Willian, Abraham