By Alex Roberts
Whereas more likely to be much less biblical than the 8-0 win over FC Noah of their earlier fixture, Enzo Maresca will little doubt really feel assured his facet can maintain their 100% document from their opening three video games intact.
They shouldn’t underestimate Heidenheim, nevertheless, with the Germans additionally profitable all three of their video games thus far, beating Scottish facet Hearts 2-0 of their most up-to-date recreation towards a British facet.
Enzo Maresca’s free-scoring blues
The Premier League facet have proven precisely why they’re thought of heavy favourites to win the match outright come the top of the season, scoring 16 objectives and conceding three in three video games.
Striker/winger Christopher Nkunku and playmaker João Félix have been on fireplace, each sitting as joint high objective scorers with 4 apiece. The Frenchman could also be sad along with his present function on the membership, however he’s nonetheless doing the enterprise on the pitch.
With Félix taking part in a starring function in Chelsea’s current 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester, it’s unlikely he’ll function in Germany, giving Tyrique George an actual likelihood of beginning.
Marvin Pieringer a significant doubt
Heidenheim are more likely to be with out high objective scorer Marvin Pieringer for the sport, after the striker picked up an achilles tendon damage on their 5-2 defeat to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
The whole lot was peachy for Frank Schmidt’s facet in his 539th recreation on the membership earlier than they have been pressured to switch the large man up high. Main 2-0, Heidenheim seemed good worth for a bit upset.
Sadly, with out Pieringer, all of it fell aside, a destiny they are going to be hoping to keep away from as they tackle Chelsea.
The rebirth of Mykhaylo Mudryk
The Ukrainian winger has struggled to reside as much as the £88.5 million price ticket that introduced him to Chelsea from Shakhtar in 2022, however he has discovered some solace within the Convention League.
Away from the highlight, Mudryk has arguably been Chelsea’s finest participant of the match thus far, bagging two objectives and three assists, he’s solely 4 objective contributions off his whole for everything of final season.
Begins exterior of Chelsea’s cup fixtures are few and much between, nevertheless, with the 23-year-old approaching instead in six of his seven Premier League appearances.
Prediction
It’s arduous to look past Chelsea for this one, however ongoing defensive frailties and Heidenheim’s physicality may trigger Maresca’s facet some critical complications. We’re going to go along with 2-1 to Chelsea.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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