Fans’ choice Chelsea lineup against MOL Vidi: Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu must start

After five hard fought wins in a row, Chelsea are already confirmed as winners of Group L and top seeds in the knockout round draw. Maurizio Sarri will thus see this game as a chance to rotate even more so than usual in midweek matches — the likes of Hazard, Kante, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Kepa, Kovacic, Cahill, Moses haven’t even traveled (some due to rest, some due to injury)!

PREDICTED LINE-UP

Kepa Arrizabalaga had played every European match so far, but since he stayed at home, it’s probably time to give Caballero a run-out. Would be lovely to see Marcin Bulka get a game however, too.

A full rotation is expected, and with Cahill confirmed out, we’ll hopefully see a first start of the season for young Ethan Ampadu.

Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek seem destined to start, and the only question is who will be in the middle. Probably Cesc Fabregas.

Up front, it’s Callum Hudson-Odoi time, as essentially confirmed by Sarri already. Assuming Giroud starts in the league, Morata and one of Willian or Pedro should get the nod.

4-3-3:
Caballero | Emerson, Christensen, Ampadu, Zappacosta | Barkley, Fabregas, Loftus-Cheek | Hudson-Odoi, Morata, Willian

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

The WAGNH community’s preferred lineup welcomes back Big Willy Style Caballero for the first time since the League Cup against Liverpool as he pips Bulka (36%). The rest is a fairly obvious and straightforward full rotation. The only close call was Ampadu over Cahill (61%). Morata handily beat Giroud (27%), while Moses won the vote long before his absence was confirmed on Wednesday — Willian (22%) edges out Pedro (19%) as a replacement.

4-3-3:
Caballero (48%) | Emerson (96%), Christensen (92%), Ampadu (76%), Zappacosta (93%) | Loftus-Cheek (93%), Fàbregas (90%), Barkley (82%) | Hudson-Odoi (97%), Morata (71%), Moses (53%)