Chelsea are set to host Arsenal on Sunday night at Stamford Bridge in what is taken into account one of many largest London derbies of the season.
The Blues come into the sport on the again of a complete 3-0 Champions League win towards Barcelona in midweek – a recreation the place 18-year-old Estevao made the headlines.
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The Brazilian sensation scored a improbable objective on both aspect of an personal objective from Jules Kounde and a late effort from Liam Delap to assist Chelsea accumulate most factors.
Nevertheless, the Blues should now change their consideration to a different huge recreation on Sunday.
Chelsea weren’t anticipated to compete for the Premier League title this season, however a win towards Arsenal will shut the hole to only three factors.
Nevertheless, for that to occur, Chelsea must get the higher of their capital rivals for the primary time since August 2021.
Since that 2-0 win on the Emirates Stadium, Chelsea have did not win any of their subsequent seven Premier League conferences with Arsenal (D2, L5).
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Their house type towards the Gunners has additionally been nothing wanting disappointing. You’d must go all the best way again to August 2018 for the final time Chelsea beat Arsenal on the Bridge (D3, L3).
Nevertheless, the Blues will likely be eager to show they’ve what it takes to problem for the title, and their possibilities of besting Arsenal have been boosted by the well timed return of talisman Cole Palmer.
How Chelsea may line up
Enzo Maresca has made it a behavior of rotating his beginning line-up to maintain his gamers recent all through the season, however he’d be cautious of ripping aside the crew that dominated Barca in midweek.
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With that in thoughts, the Italian head coach may make only one change from that crew, which implies Robert Sanchez ought to hold his place in objective.
The Spanish shot-stopper has stored a clear sheet in his final three Premier League outings. A again 4 of Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Malo Gusto must also stay unchanged.
Andrey Santos will likely be itching to companion Moises Caicedo in midfield after a string of spectacular performances, however Reece James ought to get the nod.
Alejandro Garnacho was withdrawn on the hour mark in midweek, so he must be recent sufficient to reprise his position alongside Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto.
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Whereas Cole Palmer is accessible to begin, Maresca will probably want to interrupt him in gently to keep away from one other relapse, so he may get his first minutes since September within the second half.
The one change may see Delap are available in for the “” Estevao.
Maresca has been clear about managing his recreation time to maximise his health so he may begin on the bench regardless of his improbable efficiency in midweek.