Today is absolutely massive, especially after Aston Villa’s win last night put them level with Newcastle and Chelsea on 63 points.
Eddie Howe’s Mags will guarantee third spot if we pick up maximum points from our final three games – a tough ask I know – but it’s all about ending 2024/25 in the top-five and securing that Champions League spot.
Here’s the side I think we’ll go with for today’s 12pm kick-off against Enzo Maresca’s Blues…
**(4-3-3):** _Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Gordon._
I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if Joelinton is back in the squad for this – you just know he’ll be telling Eddie Howe he’s fine to play after injections in Barcelona earlier this week – but I think Joe Willock might just get the nod.
He looked like a man struggling for confidence in the final third at Brighton, but probably needs a run of games to find his rhythm.
The problem is, our season has three games left to run and we need him to deliver now. We don’t have the luxury of time and face a tough midfield, meaning we must see him offer more in both directions if he’s to fill Joelinton’s boots.
Moving to the left wing, I’m very confident Anthony Gordon comes back into the side. Harvey Barnes hasn’t done much wrong, but Gordon’s pressing is superior and could help set the tone from the off.
I thought his cameo at Brighton offered that bit of urgency we were lacking for much of the afternoon and I expect him to return to Howe’s XI when the teams come out at 10:45am.
Sven Botman will be knocking on the door now he’s fit again, but I think we’ll see Fabian Schar and Dan Burn keep their places after the Swiss centre-back was spotted in training this week after limping off at Brighton last Sunday.
**Predicted Chelsea XI:** _Sanchez – Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella – Lavia, Enzo – Madueke, Palmer, Neto – Jackson._