Real Betis v Chelsea: Predicted Blues line-up for Conference League final

Chelsea will bid to add another European trophy to their cabinet when they face Spanish side Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday night. 

The Blues have won two Champions Leagues and two Europa Leagues since 2012, and can become the first team to win all three competitions if they win in Wroclaw on Wednesday night.

Head coach Enzo Maresca has often heavily rotated his side for European matches this term, and here we predict the XI that the Italian will select to face Betis.

Goalkeeper

Maresca has already confirmed that Filip Jorgensen will start in goal on Wednesday ahead of Robert Sanchez. Jorgensen has started 11 of the Blues’ 12 matches in the Conference League so far, and is in line to do so once again against Betis.

Defenders

At the back, captain Reece James could make another start. The England international’s workload has been carefully managed this season and he has started the Blues’ last two games, but with a prolonged break coming up, James could once again be given the nod at right-back.

James could make his 185th appearance for Chelsea (Photo: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy)

In the centre of defence, Trevoh Chalobah could be handed a start alongside Levi Colwill. Chalobah was given his first call-up to the senior England squad this week, but hasn’t started either of Chelsea’s last two Premier League games. Colwill, meanwhile, has only featured twice in Europe this season.

At left-back, Marc Cucurella is set to make his 48th appearance of the season. The Spaniard had endured a tricky couple of seasons since joining the Blues, but he has been one of their most impressive performers this season. He has also scored twice in the Conference League so far this term.

Midfielders

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez will once again be joined by Moises Caicedo. The pair both arrived at Stamford Bridge with huge price tags and equally high expectations and, after slow starts, both have enjoyed fine individual campaigns for Maresca’s side.

Caicedo was named Chelsea’s Player of the Season (Photo: Izzy Poles/Alamy)

Ahead of the pair, Cole Palmer is set to make just his sixth Conference League appearance. After a scintillating debut campaign for Chelsea last term and an equally impressive first half to the current season, the Englishman’s form has dipped quite considerably in recent months. Regardless, he has still registered a combined 25 goals and assists across all competitions this term.

Forwards

On the right flank, Noni Madueke is in line to be given another start. The winger was included in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for upcoming games against Andorra and Senegal, and has also scored three times in four appearances in Europe this season.

Through the middle, Nicolas Jackson is set to return having missed Chelsea’s last two matches due to suspension. The forward has scored 12 times in 33 games so far this season, including a brace against Swedish side Djurgarden in the semi-finals.

Jackson was sent off against Newcastle earlier this month (Photo: News Images Ltd/Alamy)

On the left, Pedro Neto is likely to be given the nod ahead of Jadon Sancho, who has struggled in recent weeks and faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. Neto has largely impressed during his debut season in West London, and has provided three assists in the Conference League so far.

Predicted XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez; Madueke, Jackson, Neto.