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Xabi Alonso has had barely any time at all to prepare for this afternoon's Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Less than 72 hours ago, the Blues were beaten - in agonising fashion, via a penalty shootout - away at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Chelsea and Alonso have had no time to lick their wounds, however, and are instead hoping for a reaction against Man United, who arrive at Stamford Bridge in much worse nick than the hosts.
Michael Carrick is fighting to keep his job at Old Trafford while Alonso is desperate for three points to try and salvage something positive from what has otherwise been a torrid week for Chelsea. Alonso, though, will be without the likes of Joao Pedro and Maxence Lacroix, who have thigh and hamstring injuries respectively, for this afternoon's fixture.
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So, how will Alonso line his side up? Here is football.london's predicted XI:
After a poor showing last weekend, Penders showed his mental strength on Wednesday with a much-improved display at Anfield. Emi Martinez remains out with a fractured jaw.
Mike Penders was excellent in Chelsea's clash with Liverpool(Image: Carl Recine)
Acheampong was one of Chelsea's strongest performers in Liverpool in midweek and deserves to keep his place in the side. The Blues are rather short of defensive options at the time of writing.
In an ideal world, Fofana wouldn't continue in the defence - especially after his showing on Merseyside in the week. However, with Lacroix out, we could see the Frenchman keep his place in the team.
Colwill was Lacroix's replacement towards the end of the first-half on Wednesday and the Cobham graduate could return to the side this afternoon. Alonso is very much down to the barebones in the centre of his defence, with Aaron Anselmino nowhere to be seen.
Chavarria has been passed fit after recovering from an injury, while Jorrel Hato missed the midweek defeat with a back problem and remains absent. Marco Palestra will be hoping for some more minutes after his impressive cameo in Liverpool a few days ago.
The 36-year-old, remarkably, has played every single minute of Chelsea's last five matches in all competitions and could keep his place in the side today. Romeo Lavia completed 90 minutes for the first time in his Blues career on Wednesday, so he may drop down to the bench simply due to load management.
Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer celebrate(Image: Ryan Pierse)
Alonso mentioned after the defeat to Liverpool how Caicedo was taken off because he had picked up a knock. The Ecuadorian, though, is expected to be fine for the visit of Man United.
Neto seems to be an ever-present figure in this Chelsea side at the moment - whether you agree with that or not. Estevao Willian will be hoping for some minutes but the Brazilian starting seems unlikely.
After serving his one-match suspension in the week, Palmer is set to return to the Chelsea attack this afternoon - and he has somewhat of a point to prove. This is the game that Palmer relishes more than any other, against his boyhood club, and Alonso needs to see a big performance from his No.10.
Cole Palmer was given a red card in Chelsea's loss to Tottenham(Image: Ryan Pierse)
Rogers has played 90 minutes in both of Chelsea's matches in the past week, yet he is still expected to start at Stamford Bridge. At the moment, with Joao Pedro out, Rogers is the Blues' most dangerous attacking player, and he will be hoping to continue his fine start to the campaign against United.
It could well be Emmanuel Emegha after the Dutchman made his Chelsea debut against Liverpool, but Alonso might be tempted for the more experienced option in Welbeck. The 35-year-old former Manchester United striker was very quiet in the week and Chelsea need to find a way to get the Englishman in the game more.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Chavarria; Henderson, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck
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