Predicted lineup: Antonio Conte picks odd XI ahead of Southampton cup tie

There’s only 72 hours between tonight’s game against Burnley and Sunday’s FA Cup semi final against Southampton, so expect Antonio Conte to rotate heavily for tonight’s league game.

Thibaut Courtois will play in both, as a goalkeeper doesn’t get too physically drained.

At the back there are relatively limited options, so expect to see Antonio Rudiger return after not playing at the weekend, alongside Cesar Azpilicueta (who never struggled to play game after game) and then Gary Cahill, with Andreas Christensen kept fresh for the weekend.

Emerson Palmieri comes in at left wing back, and Davide Zappacosta will play on the right to keep Victor Moses in reserve.

If Cesc and Kante are really Conte’s favoured pair in the middle, as they appear to be, expect to see Danny Drinkwater alongside Tiemoue Bakayoko in the middle – although Kante may well be risked for the double header if that pair doesn’t look strong enough.

Pedro will almost certainly get a chance up front, potentially with Alvaro Morata as Olivier Giroud and Eden Hazard get a breather.

We would love to see Callum Hudson-Odoi start, but in reality that final spot will go to Willian in all likelihood.

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