Predicted Chelsea XI vs Everton as risky Cole Palmer decision made and Estevao Willian starts

Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge this afternoon in the Premier League with the Blues on the hunt for their first victory of the month following a disappointing week

Chelsea need to step up to the challenge this afternoon with an in-form Everton side the visitors to Stamford Bridge. December has started poorly for the Blues, who are without a win in their opening three matches.

A defeat against Atalanta on Tuesday evening, where the west Londoners let a one-goal lead slip, was the latest in a line of disappointing performances and results. A goalless draw in Bournemouth was just a few days prior, with the defeat at Leeds United marking the start of Chelsea's December pain.

Enzo Maresca is not too concerned about his side's form and believes one week will not define the season at Stamford Bridge. Maresca has been rotating the team plenty since the start of the season and is expected to make even more changes for this afternoon's visit of Everton. So, with that said, football.london takes a guess at the XI the Chelsea head coach might field this afternoon:

Robert Sanchez

Sanchez has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign for Chelsea and there is no danger of the goalkeeper losing his spot anytime soon. There is an argument that the Spaniard should have done better for Atalanta's second goal on Tuesday night, but he will be hoping to put that behind him with a clean sheet today.

Malo Gusto

Reece James has played back-to-back 90 minutes in the space of the last week. Surely the Chelsea captain will be rested for this one, and an option from the bench if needed, with Gusto slotting in at right-back at Stamford Bridge.

Wesley Fofana

Fofana came on at half-time in Bergamo a few days ago but left the pitch around 30 minutes into the second period after being struck in the eye. Maresca, though, confirmed the Frenchman is fit and available for the Everton game today.

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah was the man who was replaced by Fofana on 45 minutes as Chelsea look to manage his workload. Maresca probably even had one eye on the visit of Everton for Chalobah as the Blues look to improve defensively after the disappointment in Italy.

Marc Cucurella

Cucurella looked tired against Atalanta, but there is no sign of him being rested for this weekend. It would be staggering if the Spaniard gets on the pitch at all against Cardiff City in a few days' time, so Maresca might be tempted to ask the left-back to go again for the Everton game.

Enzo Fernandez

Moises Caicedo will serve the last match of his suspension this afternoon. Fernandez, as he usually does, is expected to start. Like Cucurella, though, the Argentine is beginning to show signs of fatigue in what is an intense fixture schedule for the Blues.

Andrey Santos

Andrey Santos did not get a single minute in the week against Atalanta, so should be fit and raring to go for this one. Chelsea supporters are desperate to see more of the Brazil international, particularly while Caicedo is suspended and Dario Essugo remains out with an injury.

Estevao Willian

Estevao is another one that did not get on the pitch in Bergamo. Much to people's surprise, Maresca chose not to use the Brazil winger even when Chelsea were chasing a goal. Maresca will surely use the 18-year-old from the start this afternoon.

Cole Palmer

Maresca admitted yesterday that Palmer's recovery has not been straightforward, with the 23-year-old still feeling the groin injury that kept him out for more than two months. He has good days and bad days when it comes to pain - let's hope it's the former today.

Pedro Neto

With Estevao on the right, it could tempt Maresca to use Neto from the left. The Portugal international usually is not as effective from the left-hand side but given the trust he has in the former Wolves man, it is just a way to get him in the line-up.

Joao Pedro

Liam Delap will miss the next few weeks with a shoulder injury. It is unclear whether Maresca trusts Marc Guiu enough to use him from the start against Everton, so Joao Pedro - who is looking to build on his goal against Atalanta - might be asked to go again.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Andrey Santos; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro