Chelsea’s unlikely title challenge took a stumble when Enzo Maresca’s side were downed by two late Fulham goals on Boxing Day.
It allowed not only leaders Liverpool to open up an even bigger gap at the top, but also meant rivals Arsenal leapfrogged Chelsea in the table following their win over Ipswich Town.
Incidentally, Ipswich are Chelsea’s upcoming opponents, as the hectic festive schedule continues in earnest.
Ahead of the clash, Express Sport predict how Chelsea might line up against Ipswich…
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Chelsea predicted XI vs Ipswich Town
Goalkeeper: Sanchez
Jamie Carragher recently claimed he couldn’t envisage Robert Sanchez lifting the Premier League title, insisting it’s a position that could let Chelsea down in the long run.
With just two clean sheets in his last 13 appearances, it’s easy to see why Carragher has such doubts. Sanchez will be hoping for a shutout on Monday night against the Tractor Boys.
Defence: Cucurella, Colwill, Adarabioyo, Gusto
Sanchez will also be asking more from his defenders if the clean sheets are going to start heading into 2025, with Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo expected to retain their spots at centre-back.
Marc Cucurella recovered from his horrorshow against Spurs earlier this month to score in Chelsea’s recent win over Brentford and he’ll retain his position at left-back.
On the opposite flank, Malo Gusto has proved one of the better signings for Chelsea in recent years, with the youngster deputising well for the ever-injured Reece James.
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Midfield: Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer
It’s been a funny season for Enzo Fernandez. The £107million man spent a period of time on the bench, but he looks to have re-earned the trust of Maresca and is back in the XI.
He’s established a sturdy midfield partnership with Moises Caicedo, who appears to have settled into a groove following a shaky first season in west London.
There have been no such jitters for Cole Palmer, who after a dominative maiden campaign with Chelsea has picked up where he left off this time around and netted his 12th Premier League goal of the term against Fulham.
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Attack: Neto, Nkunku, Felix
Rotating his squad has been one of Maresca’s biggest strengths this season and given Chelsea’s bluntness in attack against Fulham, the Italian could look to ring the changes for their next outing.
Starting with the centre-forward position, where Christopher Nkunku has been waiting in the wings for most of the season. It would mean Nicolas Jackson, who has nine goals this term, drops out of the side.
Providing service from the flanks could be Pedro Neto and Joao Felix, with Noni Madueke having been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Boxing Day defeat.
Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; Cucurella, Colwill, Adarabioyo, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer; Neto, Nkunku, Felix
