Chelsea predicted line up for Malmo as Sarri balances Carabao Cup planning with saving his job
Italian boss must progress in Europa League before facing the physically and mentally draining task of taking on City three days later
PLAY it safe or roll the dice?
That's the question an under-pressure Maurizio Sarri is facing ahead of the most important four days since he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's manager, facing mutiny from fans and players, must lead Blues to victory against Malmo on Thursday and beat Man City in Sunday's Carabao Cup final to retain his job.
As SunSport exclusively revealed this morning, Sarri expects to be axed should Blues suffer another humiliating defeat to City after last week's thumping 6-0 loss.
And yet, the Italian coach cannot risk slipping up against Malmo on Thursday as a Europa League exit would see the end edge closer.
It is a fine line that Sarri is treading.
Chelsea's second-string delivered a 2-1 victory in Sweden last week, and, in usual circumstance, Sarri would likely trust them to finish the job.
Olivier Giroud, Ross Barkley and Emerson would be expected to ease past a far inferior opponent at the Bridge.
Teenage starlet and £35million Bayern Munich target Callum Hudson-Odoi might have even been trusted with a run-out.
But with Sarri's position as precarious as it is, the heavies of Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain may be called upon.
Sarri cannot afford any more banana skins.
And yet the former Napoli boss must also consider burning out his stars ahead of the mentally and physically draining task of taking on City three days later.
Pedro, Sarri's preferred partner to Hazard in the wing positions, is a doubt due to "a very strong stomach ache" while £75m keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga "has a hamstring problem".
Sarri may still play both — he cannot afford to gamble anymore.