CHE VS NOT: Maresca’s Strongest Lineup That Could Beat Nottingham Forest On Sunday

With Chelsea sitting 6th in the Premier League table, every point is critical as they aim to push into the top four. Forest, who currently occupy 12th place, will be no pushovers, having already shown resilience this season with strong performances against Arsenal and Manchester United. The Blues, however, come into the game with back-to-back wins in the league, including an impressive 4-1 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

• Tactical Changes and Key Players 

Maresca is expected to restore his first-choice lineup after making 11 changes for the midweek European clash. Robert Sanchez will replace Filip Jorgensen in goal, while Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, and Levi Colwill are all primed to return in defense. Fofana, recently recalled to the France national team, has been a standout player for Chelsea this season, and his presence will be crucial in keeping Forest’s attack at bay.

The midfield duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will resume their partnership, providing both defensive cover and creative playmaking. Fernandez has been instrumental in dictating the tempo for Chelsea, while Caicedo’s defensive contributions have stabilized the midfield.

Cole Palmer, fresh off an extraordinary performance against Brighton where he scored four goals in one half, is expected to retain his place. The Manchester United loanee, Jadon Sancho, has also been in fine form, providing an assist in his last three Premier League matches. “Sancho has been a revelation since joining us. His chemistry with Palmer is exactly what we need going forward,” Maresca said in a pre-match press conference.

The forward trio will likely be completed by Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson, with the latter searching for his first goal in three games. Despite the injuries to Reece James and Omari Kellyman, Chelsea will still field a strong lineup.

• Nottingham Forest’s Form

Forest, under manager Steve Cooper, have had a mixed start to the season but remains a dangerous side. They’ve already claimed a win against Sheffield United and drawn with Brentford, showing that they can grind out results.

• Chelsea’s possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Do you think Chelsea can win this game with this lineup?