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The predicted Chelsea XI for this afternoon's Premier League trip to Newcastle United with head coach Enzo Maresca facing some tricky calls regarding the line-up
Enzo Maresca is facing some tough decisions regarding his Chelsea line-up this afternoon as the Blues kick off the Premier League weekend with an away fixture against Newcastle United.
The west Londoners have a notoriously patchy record at St. James' Park - especially in recent seasons, losing their last four visits to Tyneside. Chelsea have the chance to end such a torrid run of results there this afternoon and there will never be a better opportunity than today, with Eddie Howe 's squad riddled with injuries.
Especially in defence. Howe is expected to be without Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles this afternoon.
As for Chelsea, they are missing Estevao Willian, who is the latest to pick up an injury albeit it is understood to only be minor, as well as Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill for today's match. With all of this being said, football.london takes a close look at what Maresca is expected to do with his line-up on Tyneside.
Robert Sanchez
Filip Jorgensen had a go in goal on Tuesday night and while it was a positive performance in Cardiff, there is no doubting Sanchez 's status as No.1 goalkeeper.
Reece James
The Chelsea captain could return at right-back this afternoon. He has been used recently in midfield but given the personnel Maresca now has available to him, we could see James in a more orthodox right-back role.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana has been exceptional in recent appearances for the Blues. The Frenchman was rested in south Wales in the week but is expected to come back into the centre of defence in Newcastle today.
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah got more or less a complete rest in Cardiff, coming on for the final few minutes to help see the game out. For the most part, Chalobah has been great this season and has formed a solid partnership with Fofana in the middle of the defence.
Marc Cucurella
Suspended for the Cardiff win, so Cucurella was able to rest at home and watch his teammates beat the League One side. It is not often that the Spain international has a week of rest, so he should be raring to go in Newcastle.
Moises Caicedo
Back and available for the Premier League after serving his three-game suspension. Caicedo was used against Cardiff in midweek and will be asked to go again this afternoon. Could be a tricky afternoon against a strong Newcastle midfield.
Enzo Fernandez
That means Fernandez, too, will have to be in his best form. We haven't seen that of late with the Argentine looking rather fatigued, but he was not used from the bench in the week, and that comes as a big boost for Chelsea.
Pedro Neto
Neto has been exceptional for the Blues this term. Chelsea's top scorer with six goals in all competitions and there is no way he doesn’t start this one.
Cole Palmer
Palmer was left at home for the trip to Cardiff in midweek with the visit to Newcastle firmly in Maresca's thinking. It will be interesting to see how Maresca gradually ups Palmer's involvement and when he will be brought off today.
Alejandro Garnacho
After making such a match-winning impact in Wales, Garnacho has earned his spot in the XI this afternoon. There are plenty of bits in Garnacho's game to be positive about and his ability to pop up in goal-scoring positions is definitely one of them.
Joao Pedro
The Brazilian has been far from his best recently, but with Delap still injured, what else would Maresca do? We need to see more from Joao Pedro this afternoon.
Predicted Chelsea line-up: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
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