Chelsea’s opponents will not be travelling too far to attend Stamford Bridge for the Boxing Day Premier League game this year.
The Blues will be hosting local rivals Fulham, in a fixture that has been played twice before on this very day, with Chelsea winning one and drawing the other.
Enzo Maresca has been insistent Chelsea are not in a title race this season, however will be very eager to close the gap again on Liverpool at the top if possible.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, speaks with Cole Palmer of Chelsea after the draw in the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC a...
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Injuries are beginning to run through the squad, so The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the starting XI to take on Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Fulham
Robert Sanchez is enjoying a very strong run of form in recent weeks, and he will continue in the starting side.
At right-back, Josh Acheampong will make his first Premier League start for the club after beginning the last two Conference League games. Axel Disasi still looks uncomfortable on the right.
Tosin Adarabioyo will make it three starts in a row in the league at centre-back, as he makes his case as a starter in the absence of Wesley Fofana.
He will be joined by Levi Colwill, whose near ever-presence in the league this season speaks volumes about how good he has been.
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Maresca will be delighted to welcome Marc Cucurella back into the side after he was suspended for the 0-0 draw with Everton.
Up there for Chelsea’s best player of 2024, Moises Caicedo will look to make a statement again in the middle of the park.
He will be joined by Enzo Fernandez, who was arguably Chelsea’s best performer in the draw at Goodison Park.
Ahead of those two, Cole Palmer will look to have more impact on the game than he managed at the weekend at Everton.
Noni Madueke will return to the starting side in favour of Pedro Neto, whose pace and directness can certainly make an impact off the bench.
On the opposite side, Jadon Sancho will start again keen to add to his two Premier League goals this season.
Up front, Nicolas Jackson will keep his place, coming up against a side he has never scored a competitive goal against.
Josh Acheampong’s impressive Chelsea first team record
Josh-Kofi Acheampong of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Chelsea FC and Shamrock Rovers F...
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The biggest call Maresca would be making in this side is starting Acheampong for the first time in the Premier League.
The Cobham graduate has started the last two Conference League games, and looked very comfortable on the ball as well as out of possession.
Josh Acheampong Conference League Stats 24/25 Total
Duels won (%) 77.8
Aerial Duels won (%) 100
Successful Dribbles (%) 100
Pass Accuracy (%) 94.1
It looked a very realistic possibility that Acheampong could be on the move after he was frozen out of all Chelsea duties earlier this season.
However, Maresca has reportedly played a big role in convincing Acheampong that he has a pathway at Stamford Bridge, and should prove this by handing him the start on Boxing Day.
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