Date: 11th October 2022 at 4:32pm
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Tuesday night sees Chelsea face AC Milan in the Champions League once more, this time at the San Siro.

Graham Potter will be looking to build on the 3-0 win against Stefano Pioli’s side last week, with a victory tonight enough to put the Blues in great stead to qualify from the group.

Success tonight for Chelsea would see them earn their fourth consecutive win under the 47-year-old in what would be yet another confidence-boosting result for the west Londoners.

Injury News

As you’ll recall, Wesley Fofana sustained an injury against Milan at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday, so he will not be involved tonight as he recovers from a knee sprain. Other than that, there are two unfortunate setbacks for Chelsea.

Potter told reporters (via Chelsea’s official website) that N’Golo Kante’s injury woes continue, with the France international suffering yet another setback in training.

Hakim Ziyech is also set to miss out tonight in what is another bitterly disappointing blow. The Moroccan will sit out the match through illness and has not travelled to Italy as a result.

Predicted XI

With the injury status of the squad covered, here is our predicted Chelsea line-up to face Serie A champions Milan at the San Siro.

3-4-2-1

Arrizabalaga
Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly
James, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Chilwell
Mount, Sterling
Aubameyang

We’re expecting an almost identical line-up to the side which had the beating of Milan last week, with the omission of Wesley Fofana for Trevoh Chalobah the only difference.

That means it could be a vastly different line-up to the one which beat Wolves 3-0 on Saturday, with six changes in personnel and a tactical alteration to be expected. In comparison to that game, Potter will likely switch back to a 3-4-2-1 formation, ditching the 4-2-3-1 which outclassed the Old Gold.

As such, Cesar Azpilicueta – who operated at right-back last time out – will make way for Thiago Silva, who will resume normal service as a central defender in a back three.

Former Brighton favourite Marc Cucurella could make way for Ben Chilwell, who enjoyed himself against Milan six days ago, completing 12 passes into the final third.

In midfield, Jorginho is set to lose his place to Mateo Kovacic, who also featured in the win over the Rossoneri. Conor Gallagher could drop out for Reece James, who enters the fray as a trusty right wing-back.

Raheem Sterling could reclaim his place in the Chelsea attack, with Christian Pulisic making way despite netting against Wolves at the weekend. Finally, Kai Havertz – another scorer in the 3-0 win on Saturday – could give way for Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, who haunted his former club by scoring last Wednesday.

Under Potter, the Gabon striker is continuing the break the “number 9 curse” which has haunted the club for some time, with the inclusion of the predator who has been dubbed “Batman” by the Twitter admins at ESPN FC looking to get his name on the scoresheet for his third appearance in succession.

 

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