How Chelsea could line up in Premier League fixture vs Sunderland (4-2-3-1) | OneFootball

Chelsea will be looking to make it five wins in a row across all competitions when they welcome Sunderland to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues are brimming with confidence following their routine 5-1 win against 10-man Ajax in the Champions League, stretching their recent form to four wins on the trot.

Before embarking on their European outing, Chelsea put Nottingham Forest to the sword, picking up a 3-0 win at City Ground, which cost Ange Postecoglou his job just 18 minutes after the full-time whistle.

To add gloss to their recent form, Chelsea will also take on Sunderland with a relatively fit squad after coming through the Champions League outing unscathed.

However, the Blues will still be without seven players for this weekend’s home clash.

How Chelsea could line up

Enzo Maresca is expected to ring the changes after fielding a heavily rotated starting XI for the Champions League clash against Ajax.

Robert Sanchez is poised to reclaim his spot between the sticks, with a few changes expected to be made in defence.

Malo Gusto’s suspension means Reece James will captain the Blues at right back.

After getting his first-ever Chelsea goal against Forest, Josh Acheampong could return to the backline alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella, who got a much-needed rest at Ajax.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were taken off early in midweek and should anchor the midfield.

Chelsea’s £40 million forward Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute against Ajax and could be named in the starting XI this weekend.

Despite being pipped to the man of the match award by Jamie Gittens, Estevao could be rewarded for his blistering performance in midweek with a place in the starting XI at the weekend.

Maresca has previously hinted that he has the ability to play in a central role, so he could slot in at number 10, while Pedro Neto is recalled on the right flank.

Liam Delap has stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury and is “very close” to a first-team return, but Joao Pedro should continue to lead the line for Chelsea this weekend.