Kepa Arrizabala should return in goal while Michy Batshuayi will replace Olivier Giroud when Chelsea face Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round.

Chelsea will be hoping to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup when they play hosts to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in a fifth round clash. And, Frank Lampard has been handed a fresh injury blow ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Andreas Christensen will miss out for Chelsea when they take on Liverpool after picking up a knock during the Premier League game against Bournemouth this past weekend. During his pre-match press conference, Lampard confirmed the extent of Christensen’s issue while iterating that none of the other absentees are any close to returning.

“Andreas Christensen has got a small issue which we are going to give another 24 hours, but probably puts him in out of the game. There are no fresh returns from the injury list. We have no Tammy Abraham, no Christian Pulisic, no Callum Hudson-Odoi and no N’Golo Kante.”

Andreas Christensen is set to miss out due to a knock. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Andreas Christensen is set to miss out due to a knock. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Lampard also insisted that Kepa Arrizabalaga is in the fray to make a comeback into the team when Liverpool pay Chelsea a visit. Kepa has been on the bench for each of Chelsea’s last six games, with Willy Caballero starting in his stead, but should get the nod on Tuesday.

In front of Kepa, the 3-4-2-1 formation should be retained despite the failure to win the last two games. Christensen’s injury, however, means that the defence will have at least one chance. Kurt Zouma should come in for the injured Dane, with Fikayo Tomori and Cesar Azpilicueta likely to keep hold of their places.

Marcos Alonso has been in fine touch since returning to the side following the formation change. The Spaniard should retain his spot as the left wing-back against Liverpool, with Reece James a certainty on the opposite flank as well.

With Kante still out and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in action for the Chelsea Under-23 side on Monday night, there is little scope for rotations in the middle of the park. As a result, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic should start once again.Chelsea

Up ahead in attack, Ross Barkley should return, having been impressive for Chelsea in the FA Cup so far this season. Barkley is likely to replace Pedro, with Mason Mount being his partner as one of the two advanced midfielders.

As for the final spot, Tammy Abraham is still out while Olivier Giroud has started each of the last three games ahead of Michy Batshuayi in his absence. Giroud, though, could be due a rest, meaning Batshuayi is expected to lead the line for Chelsea against Liverpool.

Chelsea Predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Tomori, Zouma; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Barkley; Batshuayi

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