Chelsea FC v FC Noah - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD3
Nkunku and Felix hopeful of more Premier League minutes (Picture; Getty)
Chelsea head to Southampton on Wednesday night as they look to keep pace at the top of the Premier League heading into the festive period.
A resounding 3-0 win over Aston Villa kept the Blues nine points off league leaders Liverpool – level on points with second place Arsenal who entertain Manchester United the same night.
Enzo Maresca has routinely changed his entire starting XI for midweek European games this season so how he rotates his side this week will make for interesting viewing with Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix among those pushing for more prominent roles.
There will be one enforced change from the side that beat Villa with Wesley Fofana set to miss the trip to the coast.
The centre-half limped off after an hour with Maresca initially suggesting he could miss the next four of five weeks.
Chelsea are still waiting to learn the severity of his hamstring issue but he will not be involved this week and could be sidelined until the New Year.
Benoit Badiashile stepped into replace Fofana on Saturday with Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi also options to replace the Frenchman at the back alongside Levi Colwill.
Chelsea FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
Fofana facing another spell on the sidelines (Picture: Getty Images)
Moises Caicedo shifted into a right-back role that afternoon with Malo Gusto coming off the bench late on having picked up a knock during the November international break.
The Frenchman will be hopeful of reclaiming his place at right-back with Reece James sidelined once again with another hamstring issue.
Chelsea 4-2-3-1 lineup
How Chelsea could line up this week…
Nicolas Jackson and Pedro Neto are currently on four yellow cards, walking a suspension tight rope with a derby against Tottenham awaiting at the weekend.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Southampton
Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandes, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
Where to watch Southampton vs Chelsea? Kick off time and TV channel
Southampton vs Chelsea kicks off at 7:30pm on Wednesday 4 December.
The match is part of Amazon Prime’s midweek Premier League coverage, available to stream for subscribers.
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