Chelsea will be beginning their Champions League campaign tonight as the Blues are set to host a relatively unknown Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in a group G fixture. After a torrid start of the Premier League campaign, their hopes of retaining the domestic title seem to be blown away already.
However, they will be looking to keep the woes of Premier League display away and will be looking to start the Champions League campaign on a good note.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv comes to Stamford Bridge as huge underdogs with little experience of the Europe’s elite competition. In Slavisa Jokanovic Maccabi possess a coach with Premier League experience. Jokanovic was a Chelsea player for two years at the turn of the millennium though he was never great for the Blues of London.
However, Chelsea should not underestimate the Israeli side as the club from Israel comes to UEFA Champions League beating Swiss side Basel in the playoffs who did a double over Chelsa in Champions League two seasons ago.
Here is Chelsea’s predicted line-up for the game (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper- Asmir Begovic
Defense- Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill, Baba Rahman
Midfield- Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Cesc Fabregas
Attacking midfield- Pedro, Willian, Eden Hazard
Striker- Diego Costa
What Chelsea should line up?
Chelsea’s predicted line-up is not the best possible line-up according to us. The likes of Fabregas and costa should be dropped otherwise, it is tough for them to step up their poor from. Matic did well despite the poor outings for Chelsea. He should play as his morale may come down if he is benched.
Oscar, who was out with an injury during Chelsea’s poor form should come back to the starting XI as they miss him badly. And Costa should be replaced with Loic Remy or Falcao. Remy will the better choice as Falcao also is failing to deliver this season.
Here is how Chelsea should line up- (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper- Begovic
Defense- Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Rahman
Midfield- Loftus-Cheek and Matic
Attacking midfield- Pedro, Oscar, Hazard
Striker- Remy
Another possible line-up for them could in 4-3-3 with Fabregas in the midfield and putting defensive concerns from the midfielder and let him play freely. Matic and Ramires as the other two midfielders will take the burden of the Spaniard and Chelsea will get the best from their main creator.
The line-up should be- (in 4-3-3)
Goalkeeper- Begovic
Defense- Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Rahman
Midfield- Matic, Ramires and Fabregas
Attackers- Pedro, Remy and Hazard
