Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brentford - Carabao Cup
By Tom Gott
The games keep coming thick and fast for Chelsea, who will turn their attention to the Carabao Cup quarter-final when they travel to Brentford on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel complained that his squad was stretched for the draw with Wolves at the weekend, with illness and injury really taking its toll, but the boss has called up some academy gems to make up the numbers for this one.
Here's how he could line up.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brentford - Carabao Cup
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - Kepa has been waiting patiently for his minutes and should get another run-out here.
Malang Sarr (CB) - Trevoh Chalobah is injured, Andreas Christensen is battling his own issue and Thiago Silva's minutes must be managed, so expect Sarr to return to the team.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) - Tuchel will want some experience at the back, and Rudiger's legs should give him the edge over the ageing Cesar Azpilicueta here.
Xavier Mbuyamba (CB) - Alfie Gilchrist and Josh Brooking both trained with the team, but Mbuyamba has spent longer with the seniors and should get the nod.
2. Midfielders
Reece James (RM) - There's a good chance this could be Dion Rankine, but Tuchel will likely be reluctant to go too young and could keep James in the squad.
Xavier Simons (CM) - Often confused with his namesake at PSG, there is a lot of excitement around Simons and he could profit from Chelsea's injury crisis to make his debut.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) - Kovacic is working his way back from injury and illness and he could do with some minutes.
Saul Niguez (LM) - Marcos Alonso will probably be rested as he's Chelsea's only senior left-back, and with so many other injury problems here, it might be Saul's turn to fill in.
Ross Barkley (AM) - Barkley hasn't started a match in a while and will be ready for some more action while the other starters rest.
Harvey Vale (AM) - Few in the Chelsea academy have generated as much excitement as Vale, and some minutes here would go a long way to convincing him to extend his contract, which expires in 2023.
3. Forward
Christian Pulisic (ST) - Jude Soonsup-Bell might have missed his chance for this one because of an illness. Young Jayden Wareham and Bryan Fiabema have been with the seniors, but Tuchel may opt for experience and stick with Pulisic, the LeBron James of soccer.