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Football London
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Scott Trotter

Chelsea predicted XI vs Dinamo Zagreb as Graham Potter could offer Denis Zakaria his debut

If a Graham Potter lineup is usually difficult to predict, then one in a match that ultimately means nothing for Chelsea may prove even more so. Nevertheless, it could prove a vital opportunity to rest players who have had a busy workload in October in which the Blues have competed in nine matches.

Nevertheless, Potter has appeared reluctant to suggest he will pick an experimental team and is focused on earning three points and respecting the competition.

The 47-year-old said in his pre-match press conference: "We have to have respect for the competition and respect for the teams. We have to prepare to win. We're at home, we want to finish the competition off well at this stage, and we want to respond from the disappointment of the weekend. We'll pick a team that we think can win with respect to the opponent, and we'll try our best."

READ MORE: Behind the scenes in Chelsea training for Dinamo clash as four youngsters join amid injury issue

Edouard Mendy is in line for his first start under Potter, however, with Kepa Arrizabalaga ruled out of the game with a plantar fascia issue, and will look to secure himself the Blues' number one position once again. In front of the Senegal international, it appears that Kalidou Koulibaly will return to the team having trained over the last two days and will be partnered by either Thiago Silva or Trevoh Chalobah. The latter is probably more likely.

They could be flanked in a back four by Cesar Azpilcueta and Ben Chilwell, who both started on the bench against Brighton as Potter looks to share out some minutes, while Jorginho could come into the team after sitting among the substitutes at the weekend.

The Italian may be joined by Denis Zakaria. The Swiss international has the ideal opportunity to make his Chelsea debut, with Potter hinting that he could make an appearance.

He said: "As I've said before, he's been really good. He's trained well and supported his teammates. Obviously disappointed not to play like everybody is but up until the weekend, the results have been positive, performances, we've been trying to take steps. He's in the frame tomorrow, he's in the squad, he's available for selection, so we'll wait and see."

Armando Broja and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both started on the bench at the Amex Stadium and are likely competing to lead the line unless one is chosen to flank the other. Broja may be the favourite to make his second start if Aubameyang is preferred against Arsenal on Saturday.

Chelsea predicted XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Jorginho, Zakaria, Gallagher; Ziyech, Broja, Pulisic.

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