Chelsea predicted XI vs Tottenham Hotspur: Frank Lampard to hand Olivier Giroud just his third Premier League start
Lampard is happy with Ross Barkley.
Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur and twice former manager Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a crucial Premier League match.
The Blues sit fourth in the table, just one point and a single place above their fifth-placed visitors as both eye Champions League football next term.
Frank Lampard, who enjoyed big success under Mourinho as a player, will be looking for his side to bounce back after their 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United on Monday.
That loss was Chelsea’s fifth from 13 league matches at the Bridge this season as they’ve struggled for consistency in front of their own fans.
Another setback against Spurs would see them fall out of the top-four for the first time since October.
So which players will Lampard task with the challenge of staying in the top-four? Here we predict the Chelsea boss’ XI…
Goalkeeper: Lampard has dropped Kepa Arrizabalaga for the past two league games and – despite having not won any of those – he is again expected to keep faith with veteran stopper Willy Caballero.
Defenders: Chelsea’s backline conceded from two crosses on Monday and have been weak in that area this term. But despite that, Lampard looks set to make just one change with Kurt Zouma, who came on for the injured Andreas Christensen at half-time, set to line up alongside Reece James, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante went off injured against Manchester United and will not be available to face Spurs. Mason Mount came on and did well in his place so the England international will earn a start alongside Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho in the three-man midfield.
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi had a night to forget on Monday as he spurned opportunities to net with the score at 0-0. After Olivier Giroud impressed off the bench, we feel the Belgian will lose his place with the Frenchman earning just his third Premier League start under Lampard. Top scorer Tammy Abraham could be available but after injury worries would start on the bench. On the wings, injuries to Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi mean their is little option but to continue with Willian and Pedro on the flanks.
Predicted XI: Caballero; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Mount, Kovacic; Pedro, Willian, Giroud.