Chelsea are already through to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Conference League and will aim to close out a perfect league-phase campaign when they host Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been a regular in Enzo Maresca’s rotated midweek European sides but the Ukraine winger will be unavailable after failing a drugs Test.
Both Mudryk and Chelsea insist the player never knowingly took a banned substance.
In his absence and also with an eye on the Blues’ increasingly impressive form in the Premier League title race, Maresca is likely to once again shuffle his pack and give some youngsters a rare run out against the League of Ireland side.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news for this fixture.
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Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news
Academy graduate Tyrique George could be one of the beneficiaries of Mudryk’s absence on a provisional suspension before his case is heard.
Josh Acheampong could also start again in defence, where Marseca might consider Marc Cucurella an option given he has a pending domestic suspension this weekend.
Cesare Casadei sat out the win over Astana last time out with a one-match ban and is set to return in central midfield.
Chelsea predicted starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Jorgensen (GK) — Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga — Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall — George, Nkunku, Joao Felix — Guiu
Jorgensen; Vale, Disasi, Acheampong, Cucurella; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Nkunku, Joao Felix; Marc Guiu
Injured: Badiashile, James Fofana, Joao Felix (doubt), Chukwuemeka
Suspended: Mudryk
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Shamrock are also in an automatic qualification spot at present. Their impressive campaign has been underpinned by a miserly defence that has been breached just four times and on-loan Celtic forward Johnny Kenny, who has five goals in the competition proper,
Experienced midfielder Rory Gaffney is Rovers’ only notable injury absence heading into the match.
Shamrock Rovers predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pohls (GK) — Cleary, Lopes, Grace — Honohan, O’Neill, Poom, Watts, Burns — Farrugia, Kenny
Injured: Gaffney
Suspended:
Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Conference League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
