With Chelsea in Conference League action this evening against Copenhagen, football.london has a go at predicting the line-up Enzo Maresca will go with at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have the opportunity to progress into the quarter-final stage of the Conference League this evening as they welcome Copenhagen to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues lead 2-1 after last week's first-leg with goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez winning it for the visitors in Denmark. A late header from Gabriel Pereira, however, ensured the tie is still very much in the balance going into tonight's decisive game in west London.
Enzo Maresca made seven changes to his side for the visit of Leicester City less than 72 hours later in the Premier League and Chelsea have a very similar situation this week. A trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal awaits the Blues on Sunday afternoon, but Maresca and his players are fully focused on the Conference League in what is the club's only opportunity to win silverware during the Italian's debut season.
How he manages the balancing act of the Conference League and the Premier League will be fascinating to see. With that being said, football.london's Chelsea correspondent Bobby Vincent predicts the XI Maresca will line up with later on this evening.
GK: Filip Jorgensen
Maresca was asked yesterday about whether he will go with Jorgensen or Robert Sanchez this evening, but said he still hadn't made up his mind. Sanchez started against Leicester, so it could be the case where Jorgensen is once again the No.2 in the Premier League and the go-to goalkeeper in the Conference League instead.(Image: Justin Setterfield)
It seems like a bit of a gamble to start with James this evening. Not only has he been ill in recent days, but the captain may well be rested for the trip to the Emirates Stadium at the weekend. Chalobah could keep his place at right-back after starting there in Denmark last week.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Tosin has quietly been a really smart addition to this team after being signed on a free transfer last summer. The defender has been in good form recently and could keep his place in defence.(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC)
Levi Colwill could be rested for the weekend with Badiashile now available for selection again. The Frenchman started in Denmark but lasted 45 minutes in what was a pre-planned change from Maresca.(Image: Michael Barrett Boesen/GocherImagery/Future Publishing)
There are not too many options for the Blues on the left-hand side of defence. Malo Gusto did not train on Wednesday as he recovers from an injury he suffered in the first-leg. Cucurella could be asked to go again at Stamford Bridge.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
The midfield is an interesting one, for sure. With the tie far from done yet, Maresca could go strong with Caicedo, who has been in exceptional form all season-long for Chelsea.(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside)
The same goes with Fernandez, who is playing arguably his best football since joining Chelsea in January 2023. The west Londoners may start the Argentine as they look to put the tie to bed as soon as possible with the all important fourth goal.(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Palmer missed Tuesday's training session due to an illness bug that has been going around the Chelsea camp. However, the England international returned to training on Wednesday and is in contention to feature tonight. This could well be the game when his fortune in front of goal changes.(Image: Mike Hewitt)
Nkunku too returned to training on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's session. The Frenchman has come in for some heavy criticism from supporters lately and needs a match to show them what he is all about.(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside)
And if you think Nkunku needs a game to impress, have a look at Dewsbury-Hall. It has not happened for the versatile midfielder since he switched from Leicester for £30million last summer. The Conference League seems like his only route into the first team at the moment.(Image: Marc Atkins)
We've seen brief cameos of George as the No.9 with Chelsea's injury problems over the last month or so. Pedro Neto has shone up there and Maresca clearly believes George, still only 19-years-old, can have a similar impact through the middle.(Image: Visionhaus)