Enzo Maresca is about to make the most important team selection of his Chelsea career so far.
The final day of the Premier League season takes place on Sunday, and Chelsea are involved in an eye-catching fixture against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The Blues and Forest are two of the five clubs under the microscope this weekend because they are fighting to secure Champions League qualification.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca knows that his side will stay in the top five with an away victory. However, they could easily drop down the division table if they slip up.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
The Chelsea Chronicle predicts the Blues XI we’re expecting to see start the match away against Forest.
Robert Sanchez
The first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez surely starts in net again, and it would be great timing if he can pull out his 10th clean sheet of the Premier League season. Filip Jorgensen will start against Real Betis in next Wednesday’s Conference League final. Therefore, could this be Sanchez’s final game in Chelsea colours?
Reece James
We can’t imagine Chelsea captain Reece James will be left out for a game of this magnitude. Gary Cahill rates Reece James as one of Europe’s best full-backs when he’s fit and firing. In the recent victory against Manchester United, his stunning assist helped to secure a vital three points.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Without a doubt Maresca has a big decision to make in the heart of defence. Tosin Adarabioyo could get the nod to start back-to-back league games at centre-half, largely because of his aerial prowess to deal with Forest striker Chris Wood. If that’s the case, Trevoh Chalobah would be desperately unlucky to miss out again. Noni Madueke described Trevoh Chalobah as “unbelievable” earlier in the season, and the defender has just been called up to England’s senior squad for the first time, but Tosin may suit Sunday’s game better.
Levi Colwill
Like most weeks, Levi Colwill is expected to continue as the team’s left-sided centre-back. It’s very noticeable that the youngster has raised his individual levels in recent weeks.
Marc Cucurella
To complete the backline, Marc Cucurella is one of the first names in the starting XI. The left-back has netted seven goals across all competitions this season, but he’s yet to score away from home.
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo will surely start again in the centre of the park. If he plays, he will become the first Chelsea player since Cesar Azpilicueta in the 2018/19 season to start every Premier League game in a single campaign.
Romeo Lavia
We’re predicting a recall to the side for Romeo Lavia against Forest, especially because he’s unavailable for next Wednesday’s Conference League final. It was a surprise that the deep-lying midfielder didn’t start the previous match against Man Utd, but he’s quite clearly a key player in the group. Enzo Maresca said Chelsea are better with Romeo Lavia playing in the centre of the park, so it would be a massive call to put him on the bench again.
Cole Palmer
It’s quite obvious that there will be room for Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer in the XI, but perhaps there will be a change in his position because of a slight team reshuffle. We’re tipping Palmer to initially line up on the right of attack, something he did regularly last season under Mauricio Pochettino. Don’t be surprised if the forward line is interchangeable throughout the Forest match, though.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez keeps his spot in the starting line-up, and the return of Lavia allows him to push slightly higher up the pitch. His contribution of seven goals and 13 assists across all competitions this season proves how influential he can be in the final third.
Noni Madueke
Even though Jadon Sancho is an option to return on the left wing, Noni Madueke retains his spot in the wide position. He will have it in his mind that he scored in the reverse fixture this season, which finished 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in October.
Pedro Neto
All eyes will be peeled to see who leads the line for Chelsea. While Tyrique George did a valiant job covering as the central striker against Man Utd, we think Pedro Neto will start down the middle against Forest. Blues attackers Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are available again after their recent injury lay-offs, but it would be too risky throwing them back into a match like this.
