Predicted Chelsea XI to face Borussia Dortmund: Potter sweats over James’ availability as key triple attacking decision made

Chelsea will need to score and win if they want to stand a chance of progressing past Borussia Dortmund to book at spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Graham Potter‘s side are currently 1-0 behind on aggregate ahead of the second leg Round of 16 clash on Tuesday night when Dortmund make the trip to the English capital.

Karim Adeyemi punished a wasteful Blues side at the Signal Iduna Park after rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga to finish off a counter-attack from a Chelsea corner in Germany.

Heading into Tuesday’s affair, Chelsea will need to score at least once and, should they wish to progress without penalties, will need to win by a margin of two goals.

Chelsea vs Dortmund: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news and prediction

Dortmund are currently on an 11-game win streak and Chelsea will need every single player in their squad, who is available to be selected and play, to be at their very best if they want a chance of progressing.

So how could Chelsea line-up against Borussia Dortmund?

Possible XI: Kepa, Koulibaly, Chalobah, Fofana, James, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell, Felix, Sterling, Havertz

Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal for Chelsea due to Edouard Mendy still be sidelined.

Reece James missed the 1-0 win over Leeds due to a tight hamstring. He was involved in training on Monday and Potter confirmed the 23-year-old could be available, handing Chelsea a huge boost should he be passed fit.

“Reece we’ll make a decision on tomorrow,” said Potter.

Wesley Fofana will be pushing for another start after his match-winning header against Leeds on Saturday.

Cesar Azpilicueta (head) and Thiago Silva (knee) are both out, while Benoit Badiashile is ineligible. Noni Madueke, David Datro Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all also not available for selection due to not being selected for the 25-man knockout stages squad.

N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic were also both involved in training at Cobham on Monday. Potter confirmed their availability: “Christian is in the squad, he’s trained and is looking good.

“It’s too soon for N’Golo; he’s only had two full training sessions. It’s too soon but he’s looking good. So we’re going to continue with that progress.”

Mason Mount is suspended after picking up a yellow card in the first leg last month. Kai Havertz, despite performing below-par in recent months, will be hoping to lead the line. The 23-year-old has been confirmed to be Chelsea’s current designated penalty taker.

Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Hakim Ziyech are all vying for roles in the attack, with Potter hinting at sticking with a three-back formation.