Chelsea are back in first division action after their long journey to and from Kazakhstan in the Europa Conference League when they take on Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 15 December. They will look to get the three points once again as they look to keep pushing. Liverpool having emerged as title contenders against most of the odds.
Enzo Maresca's main players will be fit after a high-rotation squad that appeared in Astana in midweek. With that in mind, major changes are likely to come and here's how Chelsea could line up against Brentford.
goalkeeper – Robert Sánchez is likely to return between the sticks. He didn't have the best of starts last weekend against Tottenham having conceded three times, but the former Brighton star's place in the team is more or less concrete.
Defenders – James Reece He still remains injured and on the sidelines, so Malo Gusto could start at right-back, while Marc Cucurella is unlikely to be ruled out despite making two goalscoring errors against Spurs, so he could also feature at left-back for the Chelsea. In the middle of the back four, Levi Colwill is expected to partner Benoit Badiashile as Wesley Fofana is unfit.
Fernández starts in the center of the field
Midfielders – Moisés Caicedo won a penalty against Tottenham last weekend while £107 million superstar Enzo Fernández scored the goal that made the game 3-2 in favor of Chelsea after losing a couple of goals. The South Americans could play in the double pivot, since they rested in the midweek match after being completely left out of Chelsea's trip.
Cole Palmer could also return to playing as an attacking midfielder after his brace in the last Premier League game. Jadon Sancho could play on the left wing after scoring too, while Noni Madueke could replace Pedro Neto on the right wing as the former Wolves striker is suspended for accumulating too many yellow cards.
Forward – Nicolas Jackson could lead the line against Thomas Frank's men.
Here's what the Blues would look like on paper.
