Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has gone for broke for his side’s tie against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, opting to include summer signings Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko in his lineup.
Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off in the defending champions’ opening day loss against Burnley and Conte has been forced to start the half-fit Bakayoko in midfield alongside N’Golo Kante. Despite the lack of personnel, the Italian has persisted with his 3-4-3 formation for the crunch tie against their rivals.
Young Danish defender Andreas Christensen replaces Cahill in the lineup and will have Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz for company at the back. Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are the wing-backs for the tie, with Alvaro Morata getting his first Chelsea start after an impactful cameo in the Burnley loss. The Spanish striker will be the focal point of the Blues attack, with Willian and Victor Moses supporting from the wings.
For Spurs, there are two changes from the side that won at Newcastle United, with the fit-again Kieran Trippier starting at right wing-back while Victor Wanyama replaces Moussa Sissoko in midfield.
Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen play behind forward Harry Kane as Spurs line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (c), Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Kane.
Chelsea: Courtois, Rudiger, Alonso, Kante, Morata, Bakayoko, Moses, Willian, Christensen, Azpilicueta (c) and David Luiz.
Match starts at 4 PM GMT/8.30 PM IST.