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Football London
Football London
Sport
Oliver Harbord

Kepa back starting and Willian returns for Chelsea - Predicted lineup vs Man United

Chelsea are back in Premier League action tonight and Tammy Abraham is a doubt for the Manchester United match.

The striker had to play through pain in the Blues's last match of the campaign, and it's likely he will do the same again at Stamford Bridge.

There is no doubt that Chelsea's top scorer will want to play in the game, and Frank Lampard will want his man to be there as well.

Two players who certainly won't feature are Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who are still not fit enough to play.

Frank Lampard believes Ziyech can have a big imprint on Premier League

"Christian Pulisic trained with the U23s today, which is hopefully a short period until he comes back into our training. He won’t be fit," Lampard said. 

“Ruben Loftus-Cheek won’t be fit for this game. He is getting closer and training a lot, he just needs more match fitness to be in consideration. It’s great to have him nearly back.

"Tammy Abraham is still feeling the effects, to be honest. We had to take him out of training a couple of times this week. He trained today, so again we’re hopeful. It’s to be assessed this weekend."

 

 

For the last three Premier League matches, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger have been the centre-back partnership for the Blues, and that is likely to continue.

Reece James is expected to start at right-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta in the left-back position.

One question for Lampard will be who his midfield will be, and it's likely that Lampard will go for the 4-3-3, having Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Jorginho as the starting players.

Willian missed out starting the Leicester City game, but it's expected the Brazilian will be reinstated to the XI for the big clash.

The other massive decision will be whether Kepa Arrizabalaga returns to the starting XI, with Willy Caballero having been the man between the sticks against Leicester.

The Spaniard is likely to regain his spot in the team, with the world's most expensive goalkeeper needing to impress to keep his long-term place.

Predicted Chelsea team: Kepa; James, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Abraham, Mount.

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