Predicted XI: Enzo Maresca has big Romeo Lavia decision to make as Blues prepare for Sunderland | OneFootball

Chelsea take on Sunderland today, and we’re really curious about what team Enzo Maresca is going to pick.

Here’s our attempt at a predicted XI for the Blues side to take on the Black Cats at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

In goal, Robert Sanchez is certain to get his gloves back off Filip Jorgensen after the Spaniard was given a break in midweek.

At left back, Marc Cucurella also had a rest and can come in fresh. Reece James is the same on the right – Malo Gusto is suspended anyway, so the game may end with a different player out there.

In the middle it’s a real toss up – we’re assuming Wesley Fofana can’t start two games in a week, so Trevoh Chalobah is likely to get the nod. Alongside him Tosin Adarabioyo probably pips Josh Acheampong, but the youngster could appear in the second half to replace James.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo should both be good to go from the start, and we think Joao Pedro plays in the number 10 role. That means Alejandro Garnacho one side, Pedro Neto on the other, and Marc Guiu getting his first Premier League start for a long time leading the line.

Potential tweaks

Romeo Lavia celebrates after qualification. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

The other most likely setup is Romeo Lavia playing with Caicedo and Enzo in midfield. That would mean Garnacho dropped and Joao Pedro playing more of a wide ten role drifting left into Garnacho’s usual space.

But given Sunderland will likely try to defend, we think Maresca starts with this more attacking setup.

In other news….

We had a great chat with Sunderland site Roker Report on how today’s game could go, which you can read here.

And former Chelsea man Marcel Desailly has said the Blues are a player short of having the firepower to win the league.