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Adam Newson & Bobby Vincent

Romelu Lukaku starts, Saul Niguez snub: Chelsea's predicted XI for FA Cup tie with Plymouth

Chelsea will be determined to continue their FA Cup run this afternoon as they welcome League One outfit Plymouth Argyle to Stamford Bridge in the fourth round of the competition.

The Blues, who reached the final last season only to be beaten by Leicester City at Wembley, are currently fighting on all four fronts this term and are massive favourites going into this afternoon's tie.

Many were expecting Thomas Tuchel to name an XI full of youngsters, but the likes of Xavier Simons, Charlie Webster, Lewis Hall and Harvey Vale all featured for the Development Squad on Friday evening, suggesting they are unlikely to take any part for the first-team this afternoon.

So, it appears Tuchel may be naming a strong side as he looks to avoid a possible banana skin against the side that are seventh-placed in the third-tier of English football.

With that said, football.london has a go at predicting the starting line-up for Chelsea for the clash at Stamford Bridge...

Marcus Bettinelli is likely to be handed his second Chelsea appearance in goal. The 29-year-old made his debut in the third round against Chesterfield and will this time be hoping to keep his first clean sheet since joining on a free transfer last summer.

There will be no Thiago Silva – the 37-year-old has the game off having been on international duty with Brazil – but the rest of the Chelsea centre-backs are fit and that may see Tuchel move back to his favoured 3-4-2-1 system.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva will be rested against Plymouth having played for Brazil during the mid-season break (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Trevoh Chalobah may return on the right having fully recovered from his hamstring injury, while Andreas Christensen can occupy the spot in the centre.

Malang Sarr may get the nod ahead of Antonio Rudiger at left centre-back, given no member of the first-team squad has played more minutes than the German this season.

With Reece James and Ben Chilwell ruled out due to injury, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso should retain their spots in the wing-back positions.

In centre midfield, expect Mateo Kovacic to partner Jorginho and N’Golo Kante given minutes later in the contest to ensure he is ready for the Club World Cup. Saul Niguez could once again be overlooked.

Tuchel will not be short of attacking options, with only Christian Pulisic absent having played for the USA on Wednesday night.

Romelu Lukaku should lead the attack once more and will be in search of a confidence-building goal. Hakim Ziyech will hope to keep his spot after a fine display and a stunning goal against Tottenham prior to the break.

Callum Hudson-Odoi also looked sharp against Spurs but he could well be beaten to a starting spot by Mason Mount on the left of the attack.

Predicted Chelsea side: Bettinelli; Chalobah, Christensen, Sarr; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Lukaku, Mount

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