Chelsea predicted line up vs Newcastle United: Reece James starts again but £60m star left out
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Chelsea are without a win in their last two league games, having drawn against Nottingham Forest at home and suffered a defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. This weekend, they welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge. Eddie Howe’s side haven’t had a smooth start to the season, but Chelsea would be wise not to underrate them. The indication is that Chelsea are going places, and the results suggest they will go into this weekend’s game as slight favourites. However, the reality is that they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five games in all competitions, so there is still room for improvement.
Enzo Maresca would not want to go three games without a win, which means this weekend’s game takes on added significance. So, with three massive points at stake, here is the team we anticipate the Chelsea manager will put up:
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Robert Sanchez, who was on the bench in Athens, is set to come straight back into the lineup, as well as Levi Colwill and his partner Wesley Fofana, who missed the game against Liverpool due to suspension.
Captain Reece James has trained well and will take up the right-back spot ahead of Malo Gusto, while Marc Cucurella, who played in midweek, gives way to Gusto at left-back again. It's worth noting that although Gusto is a right-back, his ball-playing ability allows him to join the midfield, which is critical for Maresca.
Midfielders
The Italian manager now has to decide whether to bring Enzo Fernandez back in or keep Romeo Lavia. I suspect he will keep Romeo, with Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer taking up the remaining midfield spots.
Forward line
This is where the game will be won. Nicolas Jackson rested for the trip to Athens, is likely to come back in, along with Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho, who was withdrawn at half-time at Anfield. Mykhailo Mudryk who grabbed two assists and a goal in Athens is likely to miss out on starting and will be compensated with a place on the bench.
Sanchez; James, Gusto, Colwill, Fofana; Caicedo, Lavia, Palmer; Madueke, Sancho, Jackson
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