Chelsea welcome Sunderland to Stamford Bridge when they return to Premier League action today.
After a run of three games without a Premier League win, the Blues are back on track after impressive victories over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest – sweeping aside the latter last Saturday in a game that cost Ange Postecoglou his job.
It came despite injuries piling up for Enzo Maresca with Enzo Fernandez joining Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Benoit Badiashile and Dario Essugo on the sidelines.
Fernandez’s injury was not serious, though, and the Argentine was back in the starting XI for Chelsea’s superb 5-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League.
Romeo Lavia started again in central midfield as he continues to his return to full fitness, with Moises Caicedo once again used off the bench.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Chelsea will remain without Palmer until early December at the earliest due to the persistent groin injury that has derailed his season so far.
Fernandez’s availability offers one solution in that no10 role with Facundo Facundo Buonanotte another. But Maresca now has the option of pulling Joao Pedro back into a deeper role and unleashing Marc Guiu up front.
The Spaniard was recalled from a loan at Sunderland following Delap’s injury with Nicolas Jackson moved on to Bayern Munich.
Guiu was somewhat of a catalyst off the bench against Liverpool and Forest, and Maresca hinted that the 19-year-old is ready to play a part from the start.
‘Absolutely, he is ready to start,’ he said. ‘Marc is a typical number nine; a physically strong, box player.
‘Again, he can improve and do many things better and we are working with him every day to help him. He is going to play games with us, for sure.’
Elsewhere, Chelsea picked up yet another red card with Malo Gusto given his marching orders late on at the City Ground.
Reece James was used in midfield with options light last weekend but that suspension will likely see him return to his natural role.
Chelsea XI to face Sunderland – Metro prediction
Having rotated heavily against Ajax in midweek, Maresca will surely return to his first-choice XI against Sunderland.
Fernandez and Caiceco should return in the heart of midfield, while Maresca may choose to keep faith with the centre-back combination of Josh Acheampong and Trevor Chalobah after their clean sheet at the City Ground last weekend.
Further up the pitch, Alejandro Garnacho did little to strengthen his case after being hooked at half-time against Forest with Estevao and Pedro Neto already emerging as Maresca’s firm first choice options out wide.
Chelsea vs Sunderland TV channel and kick-off time
Chelsea vs Sunderland kicks off at 3pm today (Saturday 25 October).
Given the kick-off slot, the match is not available to watch live in the UK.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.