Chelsea Predicted XI vs Servette: Badiashile returns in 4-2-3-1

Chelsea is now on a two-game win streak after beating Servette 2-0 last week on August 22, then smashing Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2 the following Sunday. Enzo Maresca's men will see this as an opportunity to extend that winning run. 

Chelsea has several players to find new clubs for before the close of the transfer window on Friday, August 30, but the likelihood of sorting everyone out in that short time is low. Maresca's league starting XI seems obvious by now, and so does his starting lineup for the UEFA Europa Conference League. However, some players have performed well enough to move between squads, like Noni Madueke.

Madueke scored in the reverse fixture of this game last week, earning him a spot in the Premier League starting eleven, where he then scored a hat-trick. It's safe to say that Madueke is now part of the main (league) eleven. This suggests that Maresca plans to reward good performances. Here is the Pride of London's predicted XI for the second leg of the UECL Play-offs:

Filip Jorgensen (No. 12) Goalkeeper, Denmark

Jorgensen was fantastic against Servette in the reverse fixture last week. In fact, it was somewhat surprising not to see him in the starting XI in the next game against Wolves , but he will definitely be between the sticks in this game. Another great performance from him would force Maresca to drop Robert Sanchez, who has been poor. 

Axel Disasi (No. 2) Right back, France

Disasi was also very good in the reverse fixture. He is part of a backline that has kept the only clean sheet for Chelsea since the season started. There are reports linking him with a move away, but it would be unwise for the Blues to sell the extremely reliable 26-year-old.

Tosin Adarabioyo (No. 4) Centerback, England

Adarabioyo was Chelsea's best defender in the reverse fixture, standing strong in the face of Servette's pressure the last time he played. He was superb in the air, winning all three aerial duels he contested. He blocked three shots and made eight clearances. His passing was very good too.

Benoit Badiashile (No. 5) Centerback, France

Badiashile was the second half of the centerback partnership that has kept the only clean sheet for Chelsea this season. The former AS Monaco defender was calm and solid in the reverse fixture, misplacing only four passes out of 102 attempted, two of which were long balls. He also made key blocks and clearances. Of course, the fact that both centerbacks were under this much pressure to begin with, is a completely separate discussion, but that reflects more on the forwards and midfielders.

Renato Veiga (No. 40) Left back, Portugal

Veiga is now the official backup to Marc Cucurella, considering Ben Chilwell's exile. He will get another chance in this game to push for a starting spot in the league. Some are suggesting the former Basel defender should be played at centerback, a call that shows fans are getting ahead of themselves, again. 

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (No. 22) Central midfielder, England

Dewsbury-Hall was better in the reverse fixture last week, but not so good in the Wolves game when he came on. Perhaps he wasn't ready for the speed of the league, but expect a much better showing from him in this game. 

Enzo Fernandez (No. 8) Central midfielder, Argentina

Caicedo played three games in seven days last week, so it was no surprise that he was substituted off due to injury against Wolves. He played against Manchester City on August 18, then played against Servette four days later, then played against Wolves three days after that. This is why Fernandez will start, even though the Blues No. 8 himself was poor against Wolves. 

Pedro Neto (No. 7) Right winger, Portugal

Neto excited fans when he came on to assist against his former club, Wolves, at the weekend. His only start for Chelsea was against Servette in the reverse fixture last week, a game where the Portugal forward didn't impress.

Mykhailo Mudryk (No. 10) Left winger, Ukraine

This may be Mudryk's last chance in the starting lineup before the manager tries other players in his position. Enzo Maresca did not have good things to say about Mudryk after he subbed off the Ukraine international at halftime against Wolves. He said Mudryk needed to show "more quality on the ball". The 23 year old may already have lost his place in the league starting lineup, but expect him to get a chance to impress here.

Christopher Nkunku (No. 18)  Central attacking midfielder, France

Nkunku won and scored a penalty against these same opponents last week, and while he did little else, it was enough to give the Blues the lead and calm everyone's nerves. Nkunku would do well to put out a strong display in this game. 

Marc Guiu (No. 38) Center forward, Spain

With Jackson being the starting striker for the Blues, Guiu becomes the first backup, having played enough minutes so far - both in preseason and after - to suggest that he's definitely in Maresca's plans. Jackson has not cemented his place yet in that striker role, so Guiu has a chance to give the gaffer something to think about.