With Edouard Mendy only linking up with the squad in the United Arab Emirates today following his heroics at the Africa Cup of Nations, Kepa Arrizabalaga continues as goalkeeper from the FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.

Andreas Christensen makes his 150th appearance for the Blues in what looks likely to be a return to a back three, alongside Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva, the latter returning to the side following his late return from international duty with Brazil.

Ahead of them, Marcos Alonso comes in on the left flank, while fellow Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta captains the side from the right and Jorginho continues to partner Mateo Kovacic in midfield.

Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz make up the front three, with Mason Mount among the Chelsea substitutes after being forced off with an injury during the 2-1 win over Plymouth.

Al Hilal manager Leonardo Jardim has made one change from the side which beat Al Jazira 6-1 in the previous round of the competition, as Mohammed Alburayk replaces right-back Saud Abdulhamid, with former Premier League attackers Matheus Pereira and Odion Ighalo both in the team.

Chelsea: Kepa, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta (c), Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Ziyech, Lukaku, Havertz

Substitutes: Bettinelli, Mendy, Chalobah, Sarr, Kante, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Kenedy, Mount, Pulisic, Werner

Al Hilal: Almuaiouf, Alburayk, Jang, Al Bulayhi, Alshahrani, Kanno, Cuellar, Marega, Pereira, Aldawsari, Ighalo

Substitutes: Alowais, Aljadani, Alshehri, Alobaid, Carrillo, Almufarrij, Aljuwayr, Abdulhamid, Jahfali, Tuhayfan, Michael, Alfaraj

Referee: Cesar Ramos (Mexico)