Chelsea predicted lineup vs Luton Town - FA Cup
The defeated Carabao Cup finalists Chelsea have the chance to bounce back with an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Luton Town on Wednesday night.
Since Antonio Conte steered the Blues to victory over Manchester United in the 2018 FA Cup final, Chelsea have lost their last five showpiece appearances in England's domestic cup competitions. Of course, the west Londoners can console themselves with the memory of their Champions League and Club World Cup triumphs during this period.
Here's the XI Thomas Tuchel may deploy to take Chelsea one step closer to another shot at cup glory on home soil.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Luton Town - FA Cup
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - The ready-made villain of Sunday night added another chapter to the growing history he shares with penalty shootouts in Carabao Cup finals. However, Tuchel may double down on his faith in the undoubtedly improving Kepa by turning to him again so swiftly.
Trevoh Chalobah (CB) - Naby Keita's challenge on Chalobah went unpunished on the weekend but left the centre back requiring stitches - as he sourly highlighted on Twitter.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) - The Germany international is on course to become the first Chelsea player since Dennis Wise in 2001 to leave the club after racking up more minutes than any of his teammates during his final campaign.
Malang Sarr (CB) - No Chelsea outfield player has started more of the club's domestic cup clashes this season than Sarr (six out of seven).
2. Midfielders & wingbacks
Reece James (RWB) - Not risked from the start in Sunday's showpiece, James made his first competitive bow of the new year just in time to replace his injured skipper Cesar Azpilicueta.
Jorginho (CM) - A former nailed-on starter has been benched for Chelsea's Premier League meetings with Manchester City and Liverpool along with both the League Cup and Club World Cup finals this year. Perhaps Tuchel will trust him with a trip away to lower league opposition.
Saul Niguez (CM) - The Atletico Madrid loanee has been hooked off at half-time in each of his two Premier League starts but has since emerged as an adequate rotation option in the early rounds of cup competitions.
Marcos Alonso (LWB) - Chelsea's options at left wingback have been cut perilously short by the injury to Ben Chilwell and Emerson Palmieri's reluctance to return, leaving Alonso as practically Tuchel's only choice.
3. Forwards
Mason Mount (RW) - The last two Chelsea managers have both seen fit to use the England international more often than any other player at their disposal.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) - The 'mentally tired' forward hasn't started Chelsea's last two matches but may be eased back into the fold this midweek.
Timo Werner (LW) - The misfiring German's last goal for Chelsea came in the third round of the FA Cup against the National League's Chesterfield.