Chelsea will be hoping to continue their renewed form under Enzo Maresca with a triumph over Newcastle United this weekend. The Blues will play their clash against the Magpies at St. James Park on Sunday, but they know that a win is required to stay within the top-five race.
Maresca’s boys have a massive advantage going into the weekend already – they’ve won five on the bounce in all competitions. Newcastle’s form is not so good, having won only three of their previous five games. The Magpies were also humiliatingly 4-1 defeated by Aston Villa, but rallied with a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
While some Chelsea fans may not be very pleased with Maresca’s change of tactics, the results are hard to ignore. The manager has stuck with playing Moises Caicedo at right-back, especially with Romeo Lavia making his way back into the team after a long injury absence.
This has meant that Captain Reece James has been relegated to the bench for most matches. The manager’s tactical concepts with Caicedo operating as an inverted full-back have, nevertheless, worked well, and will likely keep happening.
Chelsea’s Predicted Starting XI vs Newcastle
Robert Sanchez will likely continue in between the sticks, while Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo could reprise their full-back roles. Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill, meanwhile, will likely sit in the centre of the defence.
Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez could continue as the conductors of what happens in midfield, but with Cole Palmer in front of them as a playmaker. Nicolas Jackson will likely play as the striker, with Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke out on the flanks.
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
Defenders (R-L): Moises Caicedo, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella
Midfielders: Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez
Attacking Midfielder: Cole Palmer
Wings (R-L): Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke
Forward: Nicolas Jackson
