Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will have some big decisions on his hands for tonight’s clash with Leeds United at Elland Road. The Blues aren’t yet sure of a place in the top four but have an FA Cup final against Liverpool on Saturday, meaning changes could be afoot.
It is a big match for both sides this evening as Leeds look to move out of the relegation zone, which will be done if they avoid defeat. Chelsea can also all but mathematically secure a spot in next season’s Champions League with a win, but a defeat could leave the door open for Tottenham Hotspur.
Following the weekend collapse against Wolves, where Chelsea allowed a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2, Tuchel is likely to make changes. Trevoh Chalobah and Andreas Christensen could come in at the back in place of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva, forming a back three alongside Antonio Rudiger.
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Reece James and Marcos Alonso are likely to keep their place at wing back, with the latter having overcome his row with Tuchel that saw him substituted at half time against Wolves. In midfield, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are doubts and therefore Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic are likely to start.
Perhaps Tuchel’s biggest decision comes in attack as Romelu Lukaku looks to keep his place following his double at the weekend, which were his first goals in the league since December. He could be joined in the front three by Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, who were both on the bench against Wolves.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Lukaku
