Expect Chelsea FC manager Maurizio Sarri to field a team filled with subs when his squad takes on Greek side PAOK Salonika at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night. The Blues will enter the UEFA Europa League clash having already qualified for the knockout round, and needing just a single point in order to win Group L.
Thus you can be almost certain that Eden Hazard will be rested for this one. Centre back/defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadu is a doubt while Nigerian winger Victor Moses is out.
There are a handful of Chelsea players who are hunkering for more playing time this season and this match should definitely provide an opportunity for those who have spent a lot of time on the bench.
Flipping over to the other side, PAOK Salonika defender Fernando Varela faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock out over the weekend. While the visitors are heavy underdogs in this one, they are certainly a side to be respected as they sit atop the Greek Super League table five points.
Chelsea FC starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kick-off: 8pm (BST), Thursday Nov 29
Odds via Odds checker: Chelsea FC 1/3, Draw 49/10, PAOK Salonika 10/1
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, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.