Chelsea FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
Jackson was rested midweek but is expected to start this afternoon (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea are looking to keep pace at the top of the Premier League heading into a huge London derby against Tottenham today.
The Blues have plundered eight goals in their last two games and head to north London in wonderful form, sat in second place behind league leaders Liverpool.
Enzo Maresca made seven changes against Southampton midweek, changes that paid off brilliantly as his side cruised to a 5-1 win Christopher Nkunku among the goal scorers.
Nicolas Jackson was given the night off but will be expected to return to the starting XI at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he scored a hat-trick last season.
Noni Madueke has been part of Maresca’s relatively settled attacking unit this season but the Chelsea coach took aim at the winger on Wednesday night.
Despite scoring and starting against Saints, Maresca accused the winger of taking his foot off the gas as soon as he ‘scores or assists’, dropped from the side last weekend as a result.
Elsewhere, Levi Colwill was also rested midweek and will likely return today. Wesley Fofana and Reece James are still ‘weeks away’ from being available again, with the Frenchman’s absence a blow at the back.
Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
The Blues were in rampant form midweek (Picture: Getty)
Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Aarabioyo have proven to be capable deputies this season with Axel Disasi also playing the full 90 minutes for the first time in the league this season midweek.
How Chelsea could line up today
Mykhailo Mudryk is Chelsea’s only other fitness doubt with the winger struck down by illness this week.
Tottenham meanwhile are reeling from a midweek defeat at Bournemouth that saw away fans aim their ire at Ange Postecoglou post-match.
Dominic Solanke was back in the side on Thursday, playing the full 90 minutes after his recent illness absence.
Jackson scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season (Squawka)
Spurs are desperately short at the back and will hope to have Cristian Romero available again.
The Argentine has not played since October with a toe injury with Micky van de Ven also still not available. Should Romero not be deemed fit, Archie Gray is likely to fill in alongside Radu Dragusin.
How Tottenham could line up today…
Rodrigo Bentancur remains suspended with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario sidelined with an ankle injury.
Son Heung-min was rested against the Cherries midweek and will be expected to return to the starting XI today.
Predicted Tottenham XI to face Chelsea
Forster, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Solanke
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Tottenham
Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Where to watch Tottenham vs Chelsea? Kick off time and TV channel
Tottenham vs Chelsea kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 8 December.
The match will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Subscribers can also live stream the match on Sky Go and NOW TV.
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