Date: Tuesday 23rd January, 2024
Time: 9:00 pm
Stadium Stamford Bridge
Referee
Goal Scorer:
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, the Chelsea manager will be bereft of the services of ten first-team players.
Malo Gusto is the latest absentee, with the Frenchman sustaining a knock against Fulham. Gusto has joined Robert Sanchez (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring), Reece James (thigh), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), and Christopher Nkunku (hip) on the sidelines.
Chalobah is close to returning, but Tuesday’s game might have come too soon for him. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson remains in the Ivory Coast to represent Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Djordje Petrovic will continue to deputise for Sanchez between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. Axel Disasi should start as the right-back in Gusto’s absence, with Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile forming the central defensive pairing. Levi Colwill will likely feature as the left-back.
As for the midfield unit, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez should pair up in the double pivot. Conor Gallagher will reprise the no. 10 role. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer has recently played as a makeshift striker and should feature in that position on Tuesday. Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke should accompany their compatriot in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Disasi, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Palmer
Middlesbrough
Unlike his counterpart in the Chelsea dugout, Michael Carrick does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Middlesbrough manager will be without seven first-team players on Tuesday.
Tom Smith (Achilles), Alex Bangura (leg), Tom Smith (Achilles), and Emmanuel Latte Lath (hamstring) remain in the treatment room. Meanwhile, Seny Dieng, Riley McGree, and Sam Silvera are representing their national sides at the Africa Cup of Nations and the AFC Asian Cup.
Middlesbrough will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Chelsea, with Tom Glover taking his spot between the sticks. The backline should consist of Lukas Engel, Dael Fry, Matt Clarke, and winter signing Luke Ayling. The full-back will have the onus on them to make an impact on both ends of the pitch.
As for the midfield unit, Hayden Hackney and Jonathan Howson should pair up in the double pivot. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park while initiating quick transitions. Finally, Marcus Forss will lead the line for Middlesbrough against Chelsea, with Morgan Rogers, Isaiah Jones, and Finn Azaz completing the numbers in the offensive department.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Glover; Ayling, Fry, Clarke, Engel; Howson, Hackney; Jones, Rogers, Azaz; Forss
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough through on penalties)
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