Chelsea travel to the Czech Republic to take on Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final this Thursday, as Maurizio Sarri looks to build on a steadily impressive recent run of form.
With three wins from three, Chelsea have racked up their longest winning run since the opening five games of the season – which is perhaps a comment more so on their disappointing form since the turn of the year than anything else.
Nonetheless, the Blues will be going into Thursday’s game confident of pulling off a result against the competition’s surprise package this season.
Slavia made it through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup during the 1995-96 campaign, and they have overcome the odds to leave themselves in the last eight on this occasion.
Former Blues forward Miroslav Stoch has been in impressive form for the Czech outfit and will be relishing the opportunity to face his former employers.
With Liverpool to come just days later in the league, Sarri may well be prone to fielding a rotated side on Thursday, as he looks to keep his star players fit.
Here’s who we think will start.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
As we enter the latter stages of the competition Sarri will begin to rely on more first team members of his squad, and Kepa will be a sure fire pick to help keep it tight at the back.
Davide Zappacosta
Will come in to make a rare start, with one eye on Chelsea’s trip to Anfield on Sunday.
Andreas Christsensen
Valuable game time for the Denmark international who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday. Playing alongside Luiz he will be sure to experience the sort of leadership qualities John Terry and Gary Cahill had previously instilled in him.
David Luiz
Luiz has enough experience to lead by example in what is set to be a quite hostile environment, whilst his ball playing abilities can help the Blues break out of the high press Slavia Prague are likely to adopt in the early stages of the game.
Marcos Alonso
His attacking prowess will be useful as Chelsea look to overload the box and put the tie beyond doubt in the first-leg.
Ross Barkley
Grabbed himself an assist off the bench against West Ham and will be hoping to make a similar impact from the start in the Czech Republic. As the most forward thinking and dynamic midfielder of the three selected it will be Barkley’s job to press high and win back possession in dangerous areas before finding runners out wide or taking a shot.
Jorginho
Has really impressed recently with a new look forward line and midfield contributing to the Italian’s ability to play at a higher tempo. Sarri will look to him to temper the storm of a rapturous home support with his composure and awareness helping Chelsea control possession and nullify Slavia Prague’s attacking nouse.
Mateo Kovacic
Will need a vastly improved performance if he is to displace Ruben Loftus-Cheek come Sunday, and with Chelsea viewed as favourites, a dominating midfield display could well put him back in Sarri’s good books
Callum Hudson-Odoi
His prolific streak in the Europa League has finally led to successive starts in the Premier League and with Chelsea’s European adventure nearing the latter stages, the experience he has gained over the course of the season will be as invaluable as ever.
Olivier Giroud
Giroud is the leading goalscorer in the competition, and he’ll overtake Fernando Torres’ tally of nine in 2012/13 with one more.
Willian
The impact of Hazard and Hudson-Odoi over the past couple of weeks has starved the Brazilian of opportunities but he too has been in fine form in Europe this season.