MX23RW : Friday, November 8 06:03:55| >> :120:26153:26153:
[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

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


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!