{"id":1426780,"date":"2026-01-27T16:41:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=news&p=1426780"},"modified":"2026-01-27T16:41:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:41:54","slug":"chelsea-team-news-predicted-xi-vs-napoli","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/chelsea-team-news-predicted-xi-vs-napoli\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea team news vs Napoli and predicted lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chelsea <\/a>start Matchday Eight of the Champions League<\/a> sitting eighth in the league phase table and a win away at Napoli should see them qualify directly for the last-16.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blues are one of eight teams currently on 13 points, meaning goal difference and other factors are likely to come into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Napoli are 25th in the table and need a win and other results to go their way to make the play-off round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot is riding on Wednesday’s fixture at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. It kicks off at 8pm and is available to watch by UK viewers on TNT Sports 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea predicted XI vs Napoli<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): <\/strong>Robert S\u00e1nchez; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Reece James; Pedro Neto, Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez, Est\u00eav\u00e3o; Jo\u00e3o Pedro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Chelsea team news vs Napoli<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea were excellent in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace and Liam Rosenior is unlikely to make too many changes for Wednesday’s fixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cole Palmer could be in contention following a thigh injury, but may not be risked from the start, while Tosin Adarabioyo (hamstring) and Dario Essugo (unspecified) are definitely out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos are both a booking away from missing the Blues’ next European fixture. The latter could drop out, with Malo Gusto coming into the side at right-back and Reece James slotting into central midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Rosenior may stick with a winning formula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Much has been made of Chelsea’s transfer policy in recent years and several coaches have struggled to manage their squad’s expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, Rosenior has won four out of his five games in charge – the only defeat coming in the first leg of his team’s EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal – and they produced their best performance of his reign in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Injuries and illness have forced him to rotate, but the 41-year-old might choose to continue with the side that played so well against the Eagles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Antonio Conte has switched to a 3-4-3 in recent weeks, the same shape that Palace employ under Oliver Glasner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Chelsea outplayed their London rivals across the field on Sunday, and continuing with the players who excelled at the weekend might be an uncomplicated yet clever approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A particular feature was Joao Pedro’s play, the Brazilian striker scoring and having another goal-bound effort blocked by Jaydee Canvot’s hand, resulting in a penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The forward’s movement caused Maxence Lacroix repeated issues by dragging the Frenchman into areas he didn’t feel comfortable in and vacating space for his team-mates to move into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Alessandro Buongiorno is likely to be in the middle of Napoli’s back three. He gave away a penalty in last week’s 1-1 draw at Copenhagen, one of 15 fouls he has committed in this season’s Champions League, and the Blues’ fluid frontline could cause more issues on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n