Stamford Bridge is gearing up to host one of the most mouth-watering clashes of the Premier League era as Chelsea welcome Manchester United on Thursday night.
While the reputation of both these English juggernauts has fallen off a cliff in recent years, a showdown between the Blues and the Red Devils always attracts swathes of spectators.
Chelsea have been handed a massive boost ahead of the eagerly anticipated contest, with four first-team players returning to training after shaking off injury concerns.
Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, Malo Gusto, and Robert Sanchez have all returned to the fold, bolstering Mauricio Pochettino’s options.
However, the Blues will host their Manchester rivals without seven first-team players, including vice-captain Ben Chilwell, who was absent from training due to an illness.
The Blues’ packed treatment room includes Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Levi Colwill.
Sanchez may have returned to the fold, but he is unlikely to replace Dorde Petrovic in the starting XI.
Gusto was withdrawn in the closing stages of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Burnley last weekend with a hamstring injury, while Chilwell missed the game due to a knee problem.
However, Gusto is fit enough to return to the starting line-up, while Marc Cucurella could keep his spot at left back in Chilwell’s absence, with Axel Disasi partnering Benoit Badiashile at the heart of the defence.
A midfield triumvirate of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher is set to remain intact, while in-form attacker Cole Palmer is expected to start again on the right.
The Englishman has been the lynchpin of a struggling Chelsea side this season and will be looking to add to his impressive 18 goals and 12 assists in all competitions so far this season.
Mykhaylo Mudryk was given the nod on the left flank against Burnley, but he could lose his spot to Raheem Sterling, who had an impressive cameo although he spurned a guilt-edged chance to win the game for Chelsea late on.
Noni Madueke is also in the running but is expected to start on the bench while Nicolas Jackson leads the line.
Chelsea potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Dorde Petrovic; Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling; Nicolas Jackson.
