Chelsea will be aiming to extend their winning streak in all competitions to six matches when they make the journey across the channel to take on Rennes in Tuesday's Champions League clash.
Frank Lampard's side warmed up for this game with a straightforward 2-0 victory at Newcastle United in the Premier League - which saw them briefly go top - with Tammy Abraham grabbing a goal after Federico Fernandez turned into his own net.
The Blues will certainly feel confident of keeping that momentum going over a Rennes side whom they defeated 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their most recent Champions League clash, with Lampard's men top of Group E having accrued seven points from a possible nine.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up against Rennes in midweek.
© Reuters Out: Christian Pulisic (hamstring)
Doubtful: Kai Havertz (coronavirus), Thiago Silva (fatigue)
> Click here for Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
Chelsea's qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League could be confirmed this week, so Lampard will be hoping that lightning strikes twice against a Rennes side who have endured a woeful set of results over the past month.
The Blues manager is therefore set to name a relatively strong lineup for the trip to the Roazhon Park, with Chelsea's only confirmed absentee being Christian Pulisic, who is expected to remain sidelined for another couple of weeks with a hamstring problem.
Fellow winger Kai Havertz will travel to France after recovering from coronavirus, but the Germany international did not feature against Newcastle and Lampard may not want to risk him from the off against Rennes, so the effervescent Hakim Ziyech could start again on the right-hand side.
Olivier Giroud may be overlooked once again in favour of Tammy Abraham, and completing the attack, Callum Hudson-Odoi is in contention to occupy the left flank should Timo Werner - who provided a brilliant assist for Abraham's goal against Newcastle - be granted a well-earned rest.
Mason Mount is expected to reprise his role in Chelsea's three-man midfield, and the England international should be joined by N'Golo Kante, whose resurgence in recent weeks has earned him plenty of plaudits, and Jorginho, who is in line to replace Mateo Kovacic.
The impenetrable Chelsea rearguard is yet to concede in the Champions League, and Lampard should be able to welcome an integral member of his defence back to the first XI against Rennes, with Thiago Silva looking to start after being given the day off against Newcastle.
The veteran should be fit to play after returning late from international duty with Brazil, and Silva could be joined by another experienced defender in Cesar Azpilicueta, who might be given a run-out at right-back after Reece James picked up a minor injury at St James' Park.
The England international still completed the full 90 minutes but Lampard will not want to take any unnecessary risks over his fitness, while Ben Chilwell, Kurt Zouma and Edouard Mendy are all set to retain their places.
Ben Knapton
