Jadon Sancho looks set to return to the starting XI
Chelsea host Brentford in a west London showdown this evening with the Premier League clash getting underway at the unusual time of 7pm.
The kick-off time was changed to give the Blues extra recovery after Thursday’s Conference League match in Kazakhstan against Astana, which Chelsea won 3-1.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca once again made sweeping changes to his XI for their European game to hand minutes to squad players and give some of his key stars a rest before Sunday’s meeting with Brentford.
Noni Madueke did not travel to Kazakhstan as is likely to replace Pedro Neto in Chelsea’s starting line-up to face Thomas Frank’s Bees.
Neto is ruled out via suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 4-3 Premier League win over rivals Tottenham.
Cole Palmer is set to return to the Chelsea XI after his midweek rest, looking to add to his impressive tally of 11 goals and six assists across 15 top-flight games.
Chelsea defenders Wesley Fofana and Reece James are ruled out with injury and will miss the clash with Brentford.
Here’s how Chelsea’s XI might look vs Brentford
Sancho, meanwhile, looks set to be rewarded with another opportunity from the start having scored in successive games last time out.
One key decision for Maresca is whether to start Malo Gusto at right-back or continue playing midfielder Moises Caicedo there instead.
Gusto has operated as Chelsea’s main right-back this term but Caicedo was moved there for the wins over Aston Villa and Spurs in December.
That allowed Romeo Lavia to start in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez, who has two goals in his last three games, but if Gusto is named in the XI, Caicedo will likely replace the Belgian.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Brentford
Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Where to watch Chelsea vs Brighton? Kick-off time and TV channel
Chelsea vs Brentford kicks off at 7pm on Sunday, December 15. The match will not be broadcast live in the UK.
Meanwhile, the decision to play the game at 7pm on a Sunday has been criticised by The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).
‘The Sunday evening kick-off slot is really unpopular with match-goers as public transport options are limited and it’s no good for families with young kids,’ a spokesperson for the FSA said.
‘When the general slot was announced the Premier League told us it was a ‘contingency’ – but it seems to be getting used an awful lot for such a provision.’