Fresh from scoring seven goals in the Premier League, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea will fight Southampton for a spot in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

The Blues battered Norwich City on the weekend and will be out to take their form into the cup, having lost in the final in 2019.

Tuchel is expected to rotate the side, with the changes set to begin at the back with Kepa Arrizabalaga likely to deputise for Edouard Mendy, who has been tremendous in goal for the Blues this season.

Trevoh Chalobah has started the campaign brilliantly and could start again, while Malang Sarr should be given a chance to play at the back along with the returning Andreas Christensen.

Ben Chilwell is on fire in front of goal with three goals in as many games, but Marcos Alonso could resume his place at left wing-back, while captain Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to replace Reece James on the right.

The transition to life at Chelsea hasn’t quite been seamless so far for Saul Niguez, but the Spaniard should be handed a start alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield. The Cobham product has looked revitalised under Tuchel with increased opportunities for minutes on the pitch.

Chelsea have a slight crisis in the final third with Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic unavailable, which will likely see Kai Havertz have to start in the centre forward role again.

The German could be supported by Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi, the latter having impressed with a string of quality performances of late.

While the League Cup won’t be the highest priority for the Premier League title-chasing Chelsea team, the chance to move into the last eight is a big one and the players will be out to make good on their chances to impress and earn minutes in bigger games throughout the campaign.

Chelsea starting XI versus Southampton