Chelsea predicted line-up against Fulham
Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways on Boxing Day when they welcome local rivals Fulham to Stamford Bridge.
AND frustrating 0-0 draw with Everton allowed Liverpool to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, and while manager Enzo Maresca may claim he doesn’t care about the title race, he will undoubtedly be keen to pick up another three points to help them cement their place in the race for European football .
Here’s how a boss might set up for this.
GK: Robert Sanchez – Sanchez was at his best pick up a point against Everton and undoubtedly deserves a chance to repeat that performance.
RB: A little dense – Expect Gusto to return to the right side of defense to take the place of the under-fire Axel Disasi.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – His unreal block of Iliman Ndiaye’s effort was Chelsea’s highlight in the game against Everton. The former Fulham man will be hoping to climb further up the table with similar results here.
CB: Levi Colwill – With Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile out by 2025Colwill will have to establish a relationship with Tosin over the coming weeks.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Cucurella has served a one-match ban and will be a welcome addition to Chelsea’s defence.
DM: Enzo Fernandez – Fernandez’s hot form may have come in the way against Everton, but he has been good enough of late to deserve a chance to put things right.
DM: Moises Caicedo – Will this finally be a game that Caicedo doesn’t punish for a perfectly clean challenge?
RM: Pedro Neto – The subject of a bizarre wave of criticism after the Everton game, Neto will expect to start again here after Noni Madueke’s disappointing introduction from the bench.
AM: Cole Palmer – Palmer was silent against Everton and will have to be at their best to prevent Fulham repeating the Toffees’ defensive tactics.
LM: Jadon Sancho – Does Maresca trust Joao Felix or Christopher Nkunku? Sancho doesn’t exactly deserve to be dropped, but arguably there aren’t many other options to improve things after the stalemate with Everton.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Jackson could only watch in horror as his close-range effort ricocheted off the Everton post this weekend. Here he will be desperate to make a comeback in style.