With an international break barrelling down on us there is one more matchday for the top sides to scrimmage for position as the top of the table looks to be as tightly contested as ever. This is a Chelsea predicted lineup as they face a tricky clash with high-flying Nottingham Forest, the two sides played out a thrilling 2-1 game late last season with heroics from Reece James securing a win for Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Nottingham Forest in Premier League Clash
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
There’s been a full split between the eleven used in the Premier League and the one utilised in cups/European ties. Robert Sanchez has been the number one option in goal for the bigger matches with Filip Jorgensen deputising against Gent and Barrow.
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The defensive lineup of Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, and Malo Gusto is the preferred back four. The secondary lineup is Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Renato Veiga with a more obvious shift to a back three in possession.
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The midfield trio of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Cole Palmer are the central three with Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Joao Felix taking up those roles in Europe and Cups.
The front three of Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Noni Madueke are the preferred setup with Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Pedro Neto replacing them.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
Enzo Maresca sets up in a fluid 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 in the Premier League more often than not with Palmer at the central attacking midfield spot but he can at times drop deep to pick up the ball instead. Fernandez tends to float between supporting the left side of the attack and driving towards the box. Against weaker teams, there’s a more attacking 3-2-4-1 where Veiga inverts and pushes up alongside the roaming Dewsbury-Hall.
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The Blues have won five matches in a row on a run of six without a defeat. Maresca has got off to a really good start with his side capable of scoring with ease, netting 16 times in their past four fixtures to drive home their attacking abilities.
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One potential negative is the at-times leaky defence. After a solid run of three clean sheets in a row, they have now conceded two goals in their last two matches. This is now the fifth time in 10 outings to start this term that they have let in at least two goals in a match. The old adage that when it rains, it pours comes to mind when looking at this squad.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
Once again there’s only one absentee for Maresca to consider with James still injured.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Nottingham Forest
While Neto is likely knocking on the door for a spot on the right wing, any such changes will presumably wait until after the international break. This is especially the case as the Portuguese attacker played against Gent on Thursday and shouldn’t be risked from the start against Forest.
GK – Robert Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Levi Colwill
CB – Wesley Fofana
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM/CM – Enzo Fernandez
CM/AM – Cole Palmer
LW – Jadon Sancho
ST – Nicolas Jackson
RW – Noni Madueke
