This Saturday two of the top five teams in the league will meet at Stamford Bridge in an important clash that will either see the top three pull away from the pack or one side re-enter the chasing pack. This is the Chelsea team news for that outing with the most recent updates coming from a pre-Christmas press conference. We will attempt to put together a predicted lineup for this one based on the available team news and recent starting picks.
Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Robert Sanchez has started most recent games in goal with Filip Jorgensen getting a singular chance to impress in the Carabao Cup. The back line has been mixed with Marc Cucurella, Wes Fofana, and Trevoh Chalobah being preferred options with Malo Gusto and Reece James capable of playing on the right. Jorrel Hato, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Josh Acheampong have all rotated in when needed.
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James has also played in defensive midfield, where Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, and Moises Caicedo have also played. Cole Palmer, Faundo Buonanotte, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittems, Enzo, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, and Liam Delap have all played in the front four.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Enzo Maresca sets up in a 4-2-3-1 that changes when in possession depending on the opposition. The focus is to recycle possession and control the match with either a central overload or the wide runners causing problems for the opposing defences. The press aims to be done high with build up coming through the centre-backs.
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With two wins from five, thing could be better for the Blues with the Cardiff victory providing a bright spot in that recent run, although some would look at the 2-2 draw at Saint James’ Park as a win in itself. The team has become defensively prone again with that being the one inconsistency holding them back from the pinnacle of the table.
Chelsea Team News
The latest from PremierInjuries paints a positive story with two fewer injuries coming into this one. Only Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Dario Essugo remain sidelined. Liam Delap and Estevao are confirmed to be available but logic may indicate they’re used off the bench here and may start against Bournemouth instead.
After a full week off there are fresh legs aplenty with the only selection dilemma being the match with only three days between Aston Villa and the Cherries. There could be some players rested here with an eye to that next fixture.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Wesley Fofana
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
RB – Reece James
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Enzo Fernandez
AM – Cole Palmer
W – Alejandro Garnacho
W – Pedro Neto
ST – Joao Pedro
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Focus Images