Saturday’s early kickoff is a London Derby which is hosted in the London Stadium as bottom-half West Ham host their blue neighbours. This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for this clash as they aim to kick on and move closer to the European places.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs West Ham in Premier League Clash
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Robert Sanchez has been the primary option in goal with Filip Jorgensen coming in for the European ties with Servette. The main back four has been Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Cucurella. Axel Disasi came in as a replacement against Bournemouth after featuring in the Conference League alongside Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Renato Veiga.
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Veiga also came into midfield in the last match due to the absence of Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who are the two main left-sided midfielders. Moises Caicedo has featured as one of the deeper lying midfielders.
The attacking end has seen Nicolas Jackson hold down the striker spot while Cole Palmer plays in behind, Christopher Nkunku has featured in both positions, while the wide spots have been shared by Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
The primary setup is a fluid 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 where one midfielder pushes up and another drops in next to an inverting full-back. When against weaker teams it is more of a permanent 3-2-4-1 with two midfielders pushed behind the striker and a back 3 in possession.
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Results have been really mixed despite the tactical flexibility despite three wins in the past five. A defeat to Servette is still fresh in the mind while a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace feels like a defeat given the Blues had the lead and looked comfortable for the majority of the tie.
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Defensively, the team still looks fragile despite keeping two clean sheets, they’ve also been unable to score more than once in a match since putting six past Wolves on August 25. Both areas of the field will have to improve if the side are to go on any kind of run up the table.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
Enzo Maresca’s press conference confirmed the status of four players while the failure to mention another indicates he isn’t ready yet. The right-back dilemma continues as Reece James and Gusto are not yet fit to play while the midfield duo of Fernandez and Dewsbury-Hall are back after illness.
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There was no mention of Romeo Lavia who started the campaign as the defensive midfielder which likely means he isn’t available to play.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs West Ham
Despite Disasi’s poor performance against Bournemouth, we could see Maresca continue with him at right back due to the absentees. Everything else should be as normal with Fernandez back from illness.
GK – Robert Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Levi Colwill
CB – Wesley Fofana
RB – Axel Disasi
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM/CM – Enzo Fernandez
CM/AM – Cole Palmer
W – Jadon Sancho
W – Pedro Neto
ST – Nicolas Jackson
