Predicted Chelsea line-up v Maribor – Mourinho to show Liverpool how rotation is done?
It was business as usual for Chelsea last Saturday as the Blues kept up their unbeaten record across all competitions this season with a 2-1 victory over local rivals Queens Park Rangers.
The result may have ensured that they remain four points clear at the top of the Premier League, but it would also have boosted an already buoyant atmosphere in the Chelsea camp, at a time when they may have contemplated taking their foot off the accelerator.
With attentions turning to the Champions League, boss Jose Mourinho will not let that happen, especially with qualification for the knockout stages and control of Group G within his grasp.
The group leaders head to Slovenia to face NK Maribor - - a fixture they will be expected to win with consummate ease.
However, with a league fixture against Liverpool dangling like a carrot on a stick, will Mourinho take the opportunity to rest some of his key men?
talkSPORT takes a look at how Chelsea could line up on Wednesday evening:
Mourinho’s only real injury concerns surround Loic Remy (groin) and John Obi Mikel (knee). The pair were absent for Chelsea’s weekend victory and did not travel with the club to Slovenia.
That suggests either Diego Costa or Didier Drogba will lead the Chelsea line, with the Ivory Coast veteran the likeliest, given the limited rest time Costa would have until the weekend.
Two other important figures who could sit this one out are Thibaut Courtois and John Terry. Courtois has been imperious in goal for Chelsea this season, but given Mourinho has such an adequate back-up in Petr Cech, it would be wise for the Blues’ boss to give his second-choice a much-needed run out.
The same can also be said of John Terry. Terry has been a rock at the back, but as he rapidly approaches his 34th birthday, he will need recovery time to be fresh for the weekend, so don’t be surprised to see young Kurt Zouma handed a start alongside Gary Cahill.
Chelsea fans, how do you think you’ll line-up against Maribor? Comment below…