Predicted Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Leeds United, Estevao starts

WHAT HAPPENED
Chelsea host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup third round at Stamford Bridge tonight. The fixture comes after Chelsea’s first defeat of the season, a Premier League loss to Arsenal last weekend.

EyeFootball publishes a projected Chelsea lineup in a 3-4-2-1 shape, with several changes expected from the side that started against Arsenal as manager Xabi Alonso considers rotation for the cup tie.

KEY CONTEXT
Mike Penders made his debut in the Carabao Cup second-round win over Luton Town and is a candidate to keep the goalkeeper spot for this match. There are suggestions of alteration in the back three, with Levi Colwill potentially coming into the defence and Wesley Fofana possibly being given a rest amid his recent injury issues. Wing-back roles look set for an overhaul, with Pep Chavarria flagged to start on the left and the young Brazilian Estevao—who impressed as a right wing-back off the bench against Arsenal—likely to be handed a start. Midfield rotation is also mooted: Valentin Barco could partner Romeo Lavia while captain Reece James may be rested to manage his workload.

WHY IT MATTERS
This cup tie provides Chelsea an opportunity to regroup after the Arsenal defeat while offering game time to squad players and emerging youngsters. Selection choices—particularly whether to rest senior names like Fofana and James and to trust recent debutants and academy-promoted players—will influence Chelsea’s defensive balance and wing-back dynamics. Keeping Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro in attack would maintain continuity in the final third if Alonso opts for rotation elsewhere.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Mike Penders retains the starting goalkeeper role after his Luton debut.
- If Levi Colwill is introduced into the central trio and whether Wesley Fofana is rested.
- Estevao’s first start as a right wing-back and how he adapts after his substitute outing against Arsenal.
- The midfield pairing selection—Barco with Lavia—and a possible rest for Reece James.
- How the predicted 3-4-2-1 system functions with the suggested personnel changes.

KEY FACTS
- Competition: Carabao Cup, third round at Stamford Bridge.
- Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the campaign to Arsenal last weekend.
- Predicted formation: 3-4-2-1. Predicted XI: Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Estevao, Barco, Lavia, Chavarria; Palmer, Morgan; Pedro.
- Mike Penders debuted in the second-round win over Luton Town and could start again.
- Estevao impressed off the bench against Arsenal and is likely to start; Wesley Fofana has had injury problems and may be rested.
- Reece James could be given a breather to manage his workload.