Chelsea will be on the road in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, December 12, when they face Astana at the Ortalyq Stadion in Kazakhstan. The blues have a 100% record in the competition having won all four matches so far and will look to take another step towards qualifying for the knockout stage at kick-off at 3:30pm UK time.
Enzo Maresca is likely to make several rotations, as he has done on the continental stage, but with the wind in their favor, they should be big favorites to beat their next opponents.
Here's how the Blues could line up for the game.
goalkeeper – Filip Jorgensen has played with the team in the Conference League and could replace Robert Sánchez against Astana.
Defenders – Malo Gusto could come in at right back, while Marc Cucurella could be replaced by Renato Veiga at left back. The central defenders are also likely to be rotated with Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo potentially coming in.
Joao Félix will be the starter
Midfielders – The double pivot of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo could also rest, so Romero Lavia could occupy the position alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Cesare Casadei is suspended after receiving a red card last time against Heidenheim.
Noni Madueke could return to the right wing after coming off the bench in Chelsea's victory against Tottenham on the weekend, while £45 million Striker Joao Félix could replace Jadon Sancho on the left wing. Christopher Nkunku could play as number 10.
Forward – Marc Guiu has had his fair share of minutes in the Conference League and could find himself thrust into the center of the action on a cold afternoon in Kazakhstan. It will be interesting to see how the first Barcelona The player does so with more regular playing time under his belt having shown flashes of his quality in his recent appearances for Chelsea.
This is what Londoners might look like on paper:
