Preview: Chelsea vs Newcastle United,Premier League
- football king 2024/10/26 07:43
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Enzo Maresca will have the option of changing his entire Chelsea starting XI when Newcastle visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend.
The Italian played an entirely second-string side in Thursday night’s 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos in the Conference League, with none of the players who started last weekend’s defeat at Liverpool featuring and several not even making the trip to Greece.
Maresca will have Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella available again after they missed the 2-1 loss at Anfield through suspension. Cucurella, however, played 90 minutes against Panathinaikos and Malo Gusto could yet keep his place at left-back.
Fit-again Chelsea captain Reece James is also available after coming through his comeback at Liverpool unscathed.
Perhaps Maresca’s biggest decisions come in central midfield, where Enzo Fernandez will be hoping to dislodge Romeo Lavia, and on the left wing.
Jadon Sancho has been first-choice in that position in recent weeks, but was hooked at half-time against Liverpool and the likes of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto all either scored or assisted in the win in Athens on Thursday.
As Reece James returned from his latest hamstring injury in the loss to Liverpool - even earning an unexpected start - Chelsea boast a clean bill of health for Sunday's game, where Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana will be back from domestic suspensions.
Cucurella was part of 11 new faces in the Chelsea lineup on Thursday evening, and Maresca will no doubt ring the changes once again, although Felix has put his name in the hat for a start over Jadon Sancho with his midweek double.
Cole Palmer did not enjoy his finest hour at Liverpool, but the Chelsea gem averages a goal or assist every 63 minutes at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League - only Erling Haaland (one direct involvement every 57 minutes) has a better ratio at home in the competition.
On the other hand, Howe confirmed a fresh setback for Callum Wilson (back) on Friday morning, revealing that the ex-Bournemouth striker would sit out at least another three games due to stiffness.
Sven Botman (knee), Kieran Trippier (thigh), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Martin Dubravka (knee) are also out of contention, but Dan Burn has been given the all-clear after taking a whack to the ankle against Brighton.
Harvey Barnes for Jacob Murphy is an obvious attacking change that the visiting manager could make for the weekend, while two former Chelsea academy products - Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento - will occupy the full-back positions.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Barnes, Isak, Gordon
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