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Chelsea team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up to face Frankfurt – Three key players injured
CHELSEA could be without up to three key players when they face Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals of the Europa League tonight (8pm).
Chelsea: Sarri admits squad is in ‘TROUBLE’ for Europa clash
The Blues made hard work of Slavia Prague in the last round, winning 1-0 away before scraping a 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge to progress 5-3 on aggregate.
Maurizio Sarri’s men have struggled since booking their spot in the semi-finals as both Burnley and Manchester United held them to consecutive draws in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways against Frankfurt but may have to do so without Willian after the Brazilian forward picked up an injury against United.
Antonio Rudiger is also out and unlikely to play again this season after suffering a recurrence of his knee problem in the 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is another key player on the treatment table while Ethan Ampadu is doubtful, although the young Welshman was not expected to feature anyway.
Pedro is likely to be a direct replacement for Willian on the right wing, although the 30-year-old did train on Wednesday, while Eden Hazard will line up on the opposite flank.
Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen came on for Rudiger against United and will start alongside David Luiz with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso completing the back four.
Keep Arrizabalaga will get the nod in goal while Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are likely to be joined by one of Ross Barkley or Ruben Loftus-Cheek in place of the disappointing Mateo Kovacic.
Finally, Oliver Giroud is currently top scorer in the Europa League and will be preferred to Gonzalo Higuain in attack.
Frankfurt have a host of problems themselves, with five players out injured and Ante Rebic suspended.
Sebastien Haller has a stomach muscle injury while Timothy Chandler, Taleb Tawatha, Marc Stendera and Marco Russ are also sidelined.
Mijat Gacinovic is also doubtful for the Bundesliga side, who travel to Stamford Bridge for the return leg next week.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Valencia – Europa League
(4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kante, Loftus-Cheek; Pedro, Hazard, Giroud