Amorim names team to face Chelsea

Our head coach knows the huge Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur is on the horizon but has picked a strong XI for a tough test against a Blues outfit looking to earn a place in the top five, and a spot in next term's Champions League.

With match rhythm deemed very important by the boss, he has resisted the urge to simply field a shadow side for the west London encounter.

There are five changes to the team on duty against West Ham United last time out.

Andre Onana replaces Altay Bayindir in goal, while the defence could line up in a couple of ways. We think Luke Shaw is probably more likely to be part of the back three, rather than on the left, which would mean Noussair Mazraoui reverting to the right wing-back position.

Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro start in the engine room, and there is a chance for Amad and Mason Mount to promote their claims for a place in the XI in Bilbao, in attacking slots behind centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund.

Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer are back from injury and among a substitutes' bench brimming with options.

THE TEAMS

Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c), Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; George.

Substitutes: Bettinelli, Jorgensen, Acheampong, Anselmino, Badiashile, Chalobah, Gusto, Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia.

United: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Amad, Mount; Hojlund.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Amass, Fredricson, Heaven, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho.