Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Friday night as they look for a top five finish in the Premier League.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man Utd
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Madueke; Neto.
The game kicks off at 8:15pm and will broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event.
Chelsea team news vs Man Utd
Like Europa League finalists Man Utd, Chelsea also have a European final to look forward to. But their Conference League showdown with Real Betis in Wroclaw takes place after the Premier League is over, so the Blues can concentrate all of their efforts on their final two top-flight games.
Chelsea are where they want to be with two matches remaining, sitting in the top five. But with a tricky trip to rivals Nottingham Forest to come on the final day, manager Enzo Maresca will be selecting his strongest possible side for their final home fixture of the season.
That side could be missing a recognised central striker, though, with main man Nicolas Jackson suspended after being sent off in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United.
Maresca will also be without another of his forward talents as Jadon Sancho, on loan from Man Utd, is unable to play against his parent club.
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Marc Guiu has a hamstring injury and Christopher Nkunku is also set to miss the game due to a knock, so Pedro Neto may be asked to lead the Blues’ attack. Youngster Tyrique George and Cole Palmer are other options to play up front.
Defender Wesley Fofana and midfielder Omari Kellyman are both out for the rest of the season with hamstring injuries, with Maresca likely to start the impressive Romeo Lavia in midfield.
Jackson’s suspension gives Maresca a tough choice
Chelsea boss Maresca has admitted that Jackson’s suspension has given him a tough choice to make, as playing a false nine against Man Utd’s defensive setup would not have been his preferred solution.
Without Jackson, Maresca may have to deploy either Neto, Palmer or the inexperienced George in a central role.
“We don’t have Nico for this game and we are working on that. Unfortunately we don’t have many options,” said Maresca.
“It depends a little bit on the game plan. When playing against a line of five, I prefer to have a ‘real’ nine because you need to attack behind, you need that threat.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have that so we need to find a solution. I like a ‘false’ nine when we face a line of four, because you can link a little more. But against five defenders, you need people running in behind. But it is what it is, and we need to find a different solution.”
Maresca confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Nkunku and Guiu will not be available for Friday’s crucial game, but was buoyed by the news that Reece James should be in the squad after battling illness earlier this week.
“Christo Nkunku is still out,” he added.
“Reece James is now okay. He was out with illness for two sessions. Unfortunately, Marc Guiu is still coming back from injury. He has started to train with us recently but is not ready to start.”