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The predicted Chelsea line-up for this afternoon's Premier League meeting with Sunderland as the Blues look to make it five victories in a row in all competitions
Bobby has been with football.london for over two years and has been covering Chelsea since the summer of 2022. During that time, he has been front and centre in perhaps the club's most turbulent time with Roman Abramovich selling to Todd Boehly. He is a regular at press conferences and matches, where he has managed to speak to Enzo Maresca and numerous Chelsea players.
Chelsea are looking to make it five wins on the bounce this afternoon as they welcome high-flying Sunderland to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues and the Black Cats go into matchday eight level on points in the Premier League table with both sides having their eyes on a place in the top four by the time the weekend concludes. Wednesday evening's thrashing of Ajax in west London was Chelsea's fifth victory in a row in all competitions with Maresca hoping there is some momentum building within his squad.
However, the Chelsea head coach is set to make wholesale changes to the line-up this afternoon. The Champions League win in midweek saw Maresca make 10 changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest - and we could expect a similar number today.
Robert Sanchez is set to return to the side after Filip Jorgensen was given a go on Wednesday night. Reece James, too, could return to right-back with Malo Gusto sitting out of this one due to suspension.
We could see the return of Josh Acheampong with the 19-year-old impressing in the centre of defence over the last couple of Premier League matches. Trevoh Chalobah could come in alongside Acheampong, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana dropping to the bench after starting against Ajax a few days ago. Marc Cucurella is set to return in place of Jorrel Hato, with the former being rested on Wednesday.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo is set to start after the Ecuadorian inverted from right-back in midweek. Romeo Lavia has started two games in quick succession and could start this one from the bench, with Maresca having to be extra cautious with the Belgian, whose time at Stamford Bridge has been plagued with injuries, meaning Enzo Fernandez could partner Caicedo in the middle of the pitch.
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Despite his superb performance in the Champions League, Estevao Willian could drop down to the bench with Pedro Neto expected to return to the XI. Joao Pedro was suspended in midweek but the Brazilian could come back in and operate as the No.10, with Alejandro Garnacho potentially on the left-hand side.
Marc Guiu is expected to lead the line against Sunderland, the club he spent just 26 days at during a loan spell earlier this season. Tyrique George is also in with a shout, but Maresca - in a very straight-to-the-point answer - hinted that Guiu will be his No.9 this afternoon.
"Absolutely, yes," replied the Chelsea head coach when asked if the 19-year-old Spaniard is ready to make his first Premier League start since signing for the club in 2024.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Joao Pedro, Garnacho; Guiu
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