December 22nd 2024.
Today, Chelsea have a crucial Premier League match against Everton. If they manage to secure a win, they could potentially move to the top of the league. This would be a great achievement for Enzo Maresca's team, who have won their last five league games in a row. Their recent victories have narrowed the gap between them and Liverpool, who are currently at the top of the league. With Liverpool's draw against Fulham last weekend, Chelsea are now just a few points away from the summit. They have the opportunity to play before Arne Slot's team on Sunday, giving them a chance to gain the upper hand.
Before their league match against Everton, Chelsea must first face Shamrock Rovers in the final Conference League game of the year on Thursday. However, Maresca is expected to make some changes to his team, as they have already secured a spot in the knockout stage. One change that is certain is the absence of Marc Cucurella, who received a second yellow card and will now serve a one-match suspension. In his place, summer signing Renato Veiga is expected to step up and perform at full-back, following his impressive performances in cup competitions.
There is also a possibility of seeing Romeo Lavia and Joao Felix back in action for Chelsea. The duo missed the last two games but may be available for selection this time. Maresca confirmed their potential return, saying, "We had Joao and Romeo that probably can be available for the next one." Another player who will be back in the squad is Pedro Neto, after serving his suspension. However, he may have to settle for a spot on the bench, as Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke have been performing exceptionally well.
Looking at the predicted starting XI for Chelsea, it is likely that Tosin Adarabioyo will continue at center-back, with Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana still out due to injuries. Fofana has been recovering from a hamstring injury since early December, while Badiashile sustained an unknown injury in training before last weekend's match. Maresca revealed that Badiashile had a problem in training and they are unsure of how long he will be out for.
Unfortunately, Maresca will also be without Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been provisionally suspended after failing a drug test. The Ukrainian winger has been absent from the team due to illness and is now unable to train with the team until a full investigation is carried out. If found guilty, Mudryk could face a multiple-year ban.
In terms of the predicted starting XI for Chelsea, we can expect to see Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, and Jackson. If you're wondering where to watch the Everton vs Chelsea match, it will kick off at 2pm on Sunday, December 22. However, unfortunately, it will not be broadcasted live in the UK.
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