Chelsea predicted lineup: Can the Blues end the season with a statement at the Stadium of Light?
Chelsea enter this final Matchday 38 fixture with an outside shot at European competition, and a result at the Stadium of Light remains essential if the Blues hope to avoid settling for the Europa Conference League. Sitting eighth in the table on 52 points, just one point ahead of Sunderland in ninth, Chelsea face a side with equal motivation, as Regis Le Bris’s men could still clinch European football themselves with a win. The Blues beat Tottenham 2-1 in midweek, which gives the squad some momentum heading into what could be a tricky away assignment.
Chelsea predicted lineup: The XI that could be named
Calum McFarlane will likely set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Robert Sánchez starting in goal behind a back four of Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, and Marc Cucurella. Moisés Caicedo, who carries a season rating of 7.33 and stands as Chelsea’s best performer in league play, will anchor midfield alongside Andrey Santos. Ahead of that double pivot, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and Pedro Neto could operate across the attacking three, with Liam Delap leading the line.
Delap, who joined from Ipswich Town in a reported £30 million deal and earns £100,000 per week at Stamford Bridge, will carry the responsibility of leading Chelsea’s attack on what is a physically demanding stadium visit. Mykhaylo Mudryk misses out through suspension, whilst Estêvão, João Pedro, and Jamie Gittens remain unavailable through injury, which strips McFarlane of viable forward options and makes Delap’s presence all the more crucial.
Chelsea ready for transfer battle with Arsenal to sign 19-year-old sensation
Chelsea predicted lineup: Why this shape makes sense?
Pedro Neto and Palmer, on either side of Fernández, should give Chelsea genuine width and creativity against a Sunderland side that have conceded regularly at home this season. Chelsea’s road defensive record has been a concern, with the Blues failing to keep a clean sheet away from home since a trip to Bournemouth in December.
So, the defensive structure around Fofana and Hato at centre-back will need to be considerably tighter than it has been on recent away days. Furthermore, Sunderland have lost the majority of their last six home matches, which suggests Chelsea can create openings if they press with intensity from the start.
In my view, this Chelsea predicted lineup represents the strongest available combination McFarlane can call upon at Stadium of Light. With European football genuinely on the line, the Blues simply cannot afford a flat performance on the final day of the campaign.
3 strikers who would be perfect for Xabi Alonso
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sánchez – Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella – Andrey Santos, Moisés Caicedo – Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández – Liam Delap.