Predicted Chelsea XI to face Leicester: Five ruled out as Potter makes huge Mudryk selection decision

Chelsea can win their third game in a row this weekend if they manage to beat Leicester City in the Premier League after a confidence-boosting week.

Graham Potter’s side have overcome the mounting pressure following a run of three straight defeats, totalling a six-game winless streak, after beating both Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund.

The narrow 1-0 home win over Leeds United was backed up with a huge 2-0 win in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund to progress into the quarter-finals.

Chelsea managed to stop the rot and now head on the road to the Midlands to face a struggling Leicester City side, who are currently in 15th place and just two points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Potter has a nearly fully fit squad at his disposal and will be hoping his side can continue the good momentum to land a third consecutive victory in all competitions, lifting Chelsea back up the league table.

So how could Chelsea line-up against Leeds United?

Possible XI: Kepa, Cucurella, Badiashile, Fofana, Chilwell, Fernandez, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Felix, Mudryk, Havertz

Kepa Arrizabalaga remains in goal for Chelsea with Edouard Mendy still sidelined following a fractured finger.

Reece James is out of Saturday’s clash due to illness along with Thiago Silva who picked up a knee injury last month. Benoit Badiashile is likely to come back into the team after missing the midweek win over Dortmund. Wesley Fofana is set to face his former side for the first time since leaving last summer.

Marc Cucurella produced a Man of the Match performance in the Champions League after being drafted back into the side. He will be pushing for back-to-back starts against the Foxes this weekend, however Kalidou Koulibaly will hope to retain his spot after another impressive showing in defence.

“I know his quality so I thought the game in the Champions League, especially with Benoit going away was a good opportunity for him to show his quality,” said Potter. “I am delighted for him that he did.”

N’Golo Kante (hamstring), Mason Mount (lower abdomen), Raheem Sterling (hamstring) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (back) are all likely to be absent.

Potter confirmed: “Raheem has had a little feeling in his hamstring, tightness if anything, so he’s looking doubtful. Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back and he’s looking likely he will miss the game.”

It’s set to see Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic continue in the midfield. Ruben Loftus-Cheek could come in for James at wing-back.

With Sterling set to miss out, Joao Felix and Kai Havertz – who netted the decisive goal against Dortmund – are set to continue in attack, and it could give a chance for Mykhailo Mudryk to join them after being dropped to the bench in recent weeks.

“He certainly comes into the equation,” responded Potter on whether or not Saturday was a chance for the Ukraine international amid Sterling’s absence. “He is a player we believe in a lot and is adapting to the new situation.

“When he arrived, he was at the start of a pre-season campaign really. So to come in and hit the Premier League running is not easy to do. But day by day, and week by week, he is getting stronger.

“He will be in the squad tomorrow (Saturday) and there is a chance he can play.”

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