UEFA Europa League: How Chelsea Should Line Up Against Sparta Prague

On Thursday, Chelsea host Sparta Prague in the second leg of the Europa League encounter. The Blues will certainly be favorites in this match after winning 1-0 away from home.

Rafael Benitez may have selection head-aches ahead of this game. Three days after the Sparta fixture, on Sunday, Chelsea face Manchester City at the Etihad. The Blues certainly cannot afford to lose to the Citizens as Tottenham Hotspurs are just one point behind, in fourth place.

Benitez must rest some players against Sparta Prague but still put out a team capable of advancing to the next round of the competition.

Without further ado, here's how Chelsea should line up on Thursday.

GK: Petr Cech

Petr Cech has been regarded as one of the top keepers in Europe for a long time. Since his move from Rennes in 2004, the Czech international has been superb for Chelsea.

Cech has been injured twice this season but looks completely fine now. He didn't have too much to do against Sparta in the first leg, and it'll probably be the same at Stamford Bridge.

Full-Backs: Ryan Bertrand and Cesar Azpilicueta

Chelsea should start with the same full-backs they used in the first-leg. Both Ryan Bertrand and Cesar Azpilicueta were left on the bench against Brentford on Sunday and will be completely fit for Thursday's match.

In the first leg of the tie, the two players were good on defense but offered very little going forward. Rafael Benitez will certainly want his full-backs to be cautious for the game at Stamford Bridge, and it would be smart for the Spanish manager to start Bertrand and Azpilicueta on Thursday. 

Center-Backs: John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic

Gary Cahill should be rested ahead of Chelsea's game against Manchester City. The 27-year-old has now started nine games in a row for the Blues and could use a break. 

With John Terry now fit and David Luiz pushed up to midfield, it would be smart for Benitez to start with the Chelsea captain and Branislav Ivanovic. Both players had good performances against Brentford ,and their partnership in defense is capable of keeping Sparta Prague out.

Defensive Midfielders: John Obi Mikel and David Luiz

Like Gary Cahill, Frank Lampard has been starting a lot of games recently and should be rested against Sparta Prague. With John Obi Mikel back from the African Cup of Nations and David Luiz not suspended anymore, Chelsea should be fine without the 34-year-old.

Luiz didn't have a particularly good game against Brentford but will give Chelsea some strength and speed in the midfield.

Mikel hasn't played for the Blues in over a month, but the Nigerian's defensive mindedness will be very helpful for Chelsea's back four. 

Attacking Midfielder: Oscar

In the first leg, Oscar came on in the 82nd minute and scored within 60 seconds of his introduction. Three days later, the Brazilian had a superb game and scored the second goal against Brentford.

Chelsea fans always feel more comfortable when Juan Mata is on the pitch, but it would be a good for Rafael Benitez to sideline the midfielder against Sparta. The 24-year-old will be essential against Manchester City and a week of rest would be great for him.

Oscar has been playing very well recently and is more than capable of breaking down Prague's defense on Thursday. 

Striker: Fernando Torres

With Demba Ba cup-tied, Fernando Torres will be starting all Europa League matches this season. The Spanish striker didn't have a great game in Prague but made some positive marks throughout the encounter.

Rafael Benitez doesn't have too much of a choice but to start Torres when it comes to European matches. The manager will hope that his fellow countryman can begin scoring in the Europa League.

Wingers: Victor Moses and Eden Hazard

On Sunday, Victor Moses returned from the African Cup of Nations before being replaced by Eden Hazard in the 65th minute. Against Sparta on Thursday, both players should start.

With Fernando Torres misfiring, it will be up to Chelsea's wingers and attacking midfielder (Oscar) to score. The combination of Moses and Hazard on the flanks has worked well for the Blues this season and should be good enough to finish off the Czechs.