Chelsea commence their 2018-19 Euro campaign tomorrow night with a trip to Greece, to take on PAOK Salonika. As we’ve already learned, Eden Hazard is apparently rested for this one, so this clash looks like a chance for Blues boss Maurizio Sarri to rotate his squad.
It’s a chance for some fringe players to step up and make an impression on the Italian, and we had that idea top of mind as we composed our projected Chelsea first team to take the pitch at the Toumba Stadium in Salonika.
The Sports Bank Starting XI Prediction
Forwards: Pedro, Alvaro Morata, Willian
Midfielders: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Danny Drinkwater, Mateo Kovacic
Defenders: Marcos Alonso, Ethan Ampadu, Andreas Christensen, Davide Zappacosta
Goalkeeper: Willy Caballero
It’s possible that we see Gary Cahill and/or Ross Barkley in the starting lineup for this one too. Chelsea have started perfect in the Premier League, and this European clash provides an opportunity for the first teamers to get some very well deserved r and r.
Injury Report/Match Preview: go to this link
Kick-off: 6 pm (BST), Thurday 20 Sept
Odds via Sky Bet: Chelsea 1/6, PAOK Salonika 4/7
Prediction: Chelsea FC 2, PAOK Salonika 0
Feel free to post your own Chelsea and/or PAOK Salonika starting XI predictions, as well as your best guess as to what the final score will be. Enjoy the match everybody!
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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