By support

3rd Jan, 2017 | 6:56pm

Chelsea expected 3-4-3 v Tottenham: Pedro omitted in one change

By Dominic Toner

Chelsea are set to leave attacker Pedro out of their starting line-up against Tottenham on Wednesday night.

The 29-year-old is available to make his comeback after serving a one-game suspension in the 4-2 victory over Stoke, but is expected to miss out to Willian after his man-of-the-match performance.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is expected to make just one change to his side against Spurs as Nemanja Matic replaces Cesc Fabregas in midfield.

Conte is set to filed the more defensive-minded Matic over Fabregas to nullify the Spurs attack, while he won’t be able to find room for Pedro in the starting XI.

The Blues will set a Premier League record of 14 consecutive victories if they win on Wednesday, but are expecting a tough battle from their London rivals Spurs.

Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to keep his starting place and will be hoping to outperform opposite number Hugo Lloris.

The Blues have settled on a three-man defence of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill, which is unlikely to be tampered with against fifth-placed Spurs.

Wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso are set to continue and face a huge test from Kyle Walker and Danny Rose respectively.

N’Golo Kante and Matic will provide the defensive cover in midfield and be involved in a tough battle with the Spurs players.

Chelsea’s attacking trio is expected to stay the same and all of them have been in great form during the recent weeks.

Pedro will be unfortunate to miss out after his contributions this season, but Conte is now set to drop the in-form Willian.

Pedro has scored four goals and supplied six assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season.

In other Chelsea team news, Michael Owen has given his prediction ahead of the club’s upcoming game against Spurs.