Predicted Chelsea Line-Up vs Arsenal - Big Moises Caicedo Decision As Pedro Neto Dropped For Stability | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will have a few key team decisions to make ahead of Sunday’s Premier League derby against Arsenal.

The Blues powered through their first two Premier League games of the season, thanks to their superior attacking quality.

However, questions remain about their defensive setup after narrowly beating Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 and 4-3, respectively. Even when they were up 3-0 against the latter, it never felt safe.

Arsenal, on the other hand, did not look convincing offensively in their 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday. However, they showed that they could rely on their defence to grab the win, as they often did in their league-winning campaign last season.

Mikel Arteta’s side are the only team not to have conceded any goals in the Premier League so far.

While Chelsea would be confident in their attack, it may not be the best idea to expect an end-to-end match against Arsenal. Instead, Alonso will likely play it safe with his team selection, banking on his in-form front three to find seemingly rare cracks in Arsenal’s defence.

Emiliano Martinez is the Blues’ new number one, so he is expected to start in goal ahead of Mike Penders.

Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix are also likely to keep their spot on the left and in the middle of the back three.

The right centre-back is one of the big decisions Alonso will have to make. Wesley Fofana started against Brighton, but Josh Acheampong also made a good case for himself in the first two games while the former served his suspension.

Fofana seems slightly ahead of Acheampong in the pecking order, so he is the more likely starter out of the two.

At wing-backs, rather than using Pedro Neto, who may not be as solid defensively despite his attacking output, Alonso will likely opt for Malo Gusto on the right, with Marco Palestra still out, and Jorrel Hato on the left.

Another big decision will be in midfield. Reece James is almost certain to start, but his partner in the double pivot will depend on Moises Caicedo’s fitness. Alonso said he would decide on Caicedo’s availability on Saturday.

If the Ecuador international is not ready to return to the starting line-up, Romeo Lavia will likely pair up with James in midfield.

The front three are the easiest to predict. Alonso will have very few, if any, reasons to make any changes in this area, given Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro’s red-hot form.

Martinez, Colwill, Lacroix, Fofana, Hato, James, Caicedo, Gusto, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro