Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Fulham as Jackson, Lavia and Cucurella calls made
Chelsea will be hoping to return to winning ways on Boxing Day when they host neighbours Fulham. The Blues were held to a goalless draw by Everton last time out, allowing Liverpool to gain crucial ground in the Premier League title race.
It leaves Chelsea four points behind their Merseyside rivals having played an extra game, meaning a win over Fulham will be needed to keep them within touching distance.
They will go into the match as clear favourites, having not lost a game in any competition since the end of October. Fulham, meanwhile, have drawn their last three Premier League matches and would likely be happy with another point against Chelsea.
Express Sport takes a look at how the Blues could line up...
Maresca has made it clear that he is planning to stick with Robert Sanchez as the first-choice goalkeeper. He has not been entirely convincing at times but has only conceded one goal in his last two games.
The Spaniard kept his fourth clean sheet of the season against Everton and will be hoping to go back-to-back on Boxing Day.
Marc Cucurella will almost certainly start on the left side of defence, having served his one-game suspension last weekend. His return will be a huge boost for the Blues with Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Reece James all injured.
As a result, Enzo Maresca is expected to continue with the central pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill. On the right, Malo Gusto could replace Axel Disasi.
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It will be business as usual in the middle of the park, with Moises Caicedo featuring alongside Enzo Fernandez in the engine room. Romeo Lavia is back in training but will not be fit enough to face Fulham.
Further forward, there will be no surprises with Cole Palmer playing in his usual role behind the lone striker.
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const loadOvpScript=()=>{let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114291&vp_content=plembed3e7arguyxmsj&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v114291');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)};window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114291"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})Attack - Madueke, Sancho, JacksonNoni Madueke could be handed a start if Maresca decides to rotate his forward line. He might come in for either Pedro Neto or Jadon Sancho, with Nicolas Jackson expected to retain his place up front.
Christopher Nkunku will be pushing for minutes but is more likely to get his chance against Ipswich Town, with that game a better opportunity for Jackson to be rested.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Fulham - Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Fulham as Jackson, Lavia and Cucurella calls made
Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Fulham as Jackson, Lavia and Cucurella calls made
Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Fulham as Jackson, Lavia and Cucurella calls made
Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Fulham as Jackson, Lavia and Cucurella calls made
Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Fulham as Jackson, Lavia and Cucurella calls made
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