Josh Acheampong decision made as £54m man gets the nod: Chelsea predicted XI v Astana

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Chelsea will look to maintain their flawless record in the Europa Conference League when they face Astana on Thursday night.

The Blues have taken an eight-hour flight to Almaty to take on the Kazakhstan Premier League runners-up from last season.

Chelsea’s impressive run in the Europa Conference League means they are already guaranteed a play-off spot at the very least.

While Enzo Maresca’s charges sit top of the standings, Astana sit 23rd in the table with four points from four games.

TBR Football looks at who Maresca could pick in the Chelsea starting XI for the game at the Ortalyq Stadion.

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca responds when asked if Chelsea's Cole Palmer is the best player in the Premier League

Chelsea team news v Astana

Maresca confirmed on Wednesday that he would be picking a fairly young squad for the long trip to Kazakhstan.

And on Wednesday evening, the Blues confirmed the names of the 20 players in the travelling party.

Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom, Max Merrick

Defenders: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Josh Acheampong, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson

Midfielders: Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Harvey Vale

Forwards: Pedro Neto, Ato Ampah, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka

Cesare Casadei, who has featured in all four group games so far, is suspended after his sending off against Heidenheim.

Chelsea predicted starting XI v Astana

Jorgensen is likely to be the goalkeeper tasked with holding the fort in the cold weather and maintain his 100 percent playing record in the Europa Conference League this term.

Full-back Josh Acheampong is also expected to start for Chelsea, which would bring an end to his time on the sidelines due to a contract dispute.

This would enable Axel Disasi to return to his favoured centre-back position, having played at right-back for much of his time in the competition.

Renato Veiga and Tosin Adarabioyo are likely to also start at the back in pursuit of a victory in freezing conditions over 3,500 miles away.

Carney Chukwuemeka could make his first start of the season, while Tyrique George could be handed his second start for the seniors and Sam Rak-Sakyi could also feature.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Pedro Neto are likely to start and bring some experience to the XI.

With Dewsbury-Hall costing £30million and Neto worth £54million, the Blues have some high-value players with which to try and win the game.

Finally, Marc Guiu could be given the nod up front in search of a second goal of the season.

Chelsea predicted starting XI v Astana: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga; Dewsbury-Hall, Rak-Sakyi; George, Chukwuemeka, Neto; Guiu.