Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle - Carabao Cup

Enzo Maresca will be eager to achieve what his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino failed to last season and win the Carabao Cup.

The Blues were beaten in the 2023/24 final by a youthful Liverpool side and labelled 'billion-pound bottlejobs' by Gary Neville in what was a match symptomatic of Chelsea's underwhelming campaign under the former Tottenham Hotspur coach.

However, the mood around west London has lifted since Maresca's appointment as Chelsea start to find their rhythm. A weekend victory over Newcastle United has prepared them well for Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth round tie against the same opponents at St James' Park.

Such are the riches within Maresca's squad, the Italian should be able to name an entirely new starting XI that would itself be capable of battling for Champions League qualification in the Premier League. Significant alterations will be made from the weekend victory over the Magpies.

Here is how Chelsea could line up on Wednesday night.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1)

GK: Filip Jorgensen - Robert Sanchez's iffy displays have only strengthened Jorgenen's hand, with the summer signing having performed admirably outside of the Premier League since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

RB: Axel Disasi - Despite not being a favourite of Maresca's, Disasi has been a handy rotation option for the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup this term. He may feature at right-back to allow Malo Gusto and Reece James to rest.

CB: Tosin Adarabioyo - A shaky display against Liverpool in place of Wesley Fofana dented his reputation but the former Fulham defender is an excellent backup. He'll be hoping that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe gives Alexander Isak the night off.

CB: Renato Veiga - The Portuguese defender will battle with Benoit Badiashile for a starting berth on Tyneside but the versatile youngster has impressed when called upon this season. He has even earned his first Portugal cap off the back of a positive start under Maresca.

LB: Marc Cucurella - Cucurella seems to have been displaced in the first-choice XI following James' return from the treatment room, but knowing the England international's injury history, the Spaniard merely has to bide his time until another inevitable setback.

DM: Enzo Fernandez - Simialrly to Cucurella, World Cup winner Fernandez has been demoted to the substitute's bench in recent weeks for Premier League battles. Romeo Lavia's impressive displays mean the Argentine will have to work hard to usurp his midfield teammate.

DM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - Chelsea signed Dewsbury-Hall for fixtures like these. An experienced midfielder who offers great balance to the engine room, the former Leicester City man has sparkled in recent European outings.

RW: Jadon Sancho - Pedro Neto's promising form threatens Sancho's starting position, with the duo likely to rotate frequently throughout the season. Sancho hasn't been used in either of Chelsea's last two matches.

AM: Joao Felix - Felix dazzled in last week's 4-1 thrashing of Greek side Panathinaikos, scoring twice to take his season tally up to three. The Portuguese is a luxurious option to have as a bench-warmer and occasional starter.

LW: Mykhailo Mudryk - Mudryk offered one of his strongest Chelsea displays against Panathinaikos with a goal and two assists. Despite seldom featuring for the Blues, he has accumulated five goal contributions in all competitions this term.

ST: Christopher Nkunku - The star of the third-round demolition of Barrow - scoring a well-taken hat-trick - Nkunku keeps finding the back of the net when he starts. The only issue for the Frenchman is that Nicolas Jackson is doing exactly the same.

READ THE LATEST CHELSEA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP