Chelsea XI vs Sunderland: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca spoilt for choice despite fitness issues after youngsters shine in Ajax demolition

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca can make wholesale changes to his team for the visit of Sunderland in the Premier League this afternoon.

Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile and Dario Essugo all remain sidelined through injury, but Liam Delap is now back in training after a hamstring issue and could be available for the trip to Wolves in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday.

It is likely that Joao Pedro will return to the lineup against Sunderland after serving a Champions League suspension against Ajax, but he could operate in the No10 role behind Marc Guiu.

Guiu scored his first Champions League goal against Ajax and may be kept up front this weekend.

The teenager spent the first 26 days of this season on loan with Sunderland but was recalled early by Chelsea on August 31 due to a shortage of strikers following Delap’s injury and the exits of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson. He could face his former team at Stamford Bridge.

Marc Guiu’s loan spell at Sunderland was cut short

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Maresca may look to rest Lavia against Sunderland by starting the fit-again Enzo Fernandez next to Moises Caicedo in midfield.

Malo Gusto was shown a second yellow card late on at Forest so must serve a one-match suspension.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto; Guiu

Injured: Palmer, Colwill, Badiashile, Delap, Essugo

Suspended: Gusto

Unavailable: Mudryk