Chelsea take on Morecambe this afternoon in the FA Cup with Enzo Maresca expected to make wholesale changes for the Blues after drawing with Crystal Palace last weekend
Chelsea welcome League Two side Morecambe to Stamford Bridge this afternoon as the Blues kick off their FA Cup campaign.
A place in the fourth round is up for grabs this afternoon with Chelsea coming into this tie as overwhelming favourites. Morecambe are 23rd in League Two, with the Shrimps really struggling in the league this season. However, they will be fuelled by the possibility to play in SW6 - and cause one of the biggest FA Cup upsets.
Chelsea are on a four-match winless run coming into this one with Maresca desperate to change that this afternoon. The head coach, though, is expected to make a flurry of changes to his side with Bournemouth coming to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League just a few days later.
But what sort of side will we see from Maresca? Below, Bobby Vincent does his best to try and read the Italian's mind...
GK: Filip Jorgensen
So far this season, Jorgensen has been Maresca's go-to goalkeeper in cup competitions. Robert Sanchez is expected to play against Bournemouth on Tuesday, meaning we could see Jorgensen this afternoon.(Image: Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC)
James has been an unused substitute in the last two matches against Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace and today feels like the perfect opportunity - if ever there was one - to throw him back in the XI. The Chelsea captain could make his first start for the Blues since November 3.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Simply for rotation purposes. Chelsea do not have too many options at centre-back at the moment with injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Ordinarily, you would assume Josh Acheampong would start this but after a fine dislay at Palace last time out, the 18-year-old could be in Maresca's thinking for Bournemouth.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Many would have been shocked he was left out at Palace but the defender could return to the XI this afternoon. For the most part, it has been a really promising start to life at Stamford Bridge for Tosin.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
We could well see Marc Cucurella rested for this one with Bournemouth on the horizon. Veiga, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent days, could come back into the line-up.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
Lavia has had a full week of training with his teammates at Cobham as the midfielder closes in on his return from injury. Like James, this feels like the ideal opportunity to throw the Belgian back into action.(Image: Visionhaus)
Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka will not be involved today with ongoing talks over their futures. This could be the perfect opportunity for some more Rak-Sakyi minutes with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo set to be rested.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
At the moment, it seems as if Pedro Neto is the first choice for Maresca on the right wing, which is why Madueke may be given a start today. Neto could well be rested for the Bournemouth clash.(Image: Justin Setterfield)
There is a chance for Tyrique George but I have a feeling that Maresca will go for Felix. The Portugal international has been used from the left this season, where he has a tendency to drift into the centre anyway.(Image: Justin Setterfield)
Some deserved minutes for Guiu perhaps. With the Conference League not restarting until March, today presents a rare opportunity for the teenage Spaniard.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)