Chelsea could move into the top four, albeit temporarily most likely, with three points at struggling Nottingham Forest this afternoon. After the second international break of the season, the Blues go to the City Ground looking to inflict even more pressure on under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou.
The former Tottenham boss is reportedly under pressure in Nottingham after a poor start to his life at the club. Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, is bidding for Chelsea's third consecutive victory in all competitions after narrow wins against Benfica and Liverpool before the two-week break.
Maresca will have to do that without Cole Palmer, who is set to miss the next six weeks with a groin injury. Initially, there were hopes the 23-year-old would be available after the recently-concluded international break, but he is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Benoit Badiashile is also expected to be out for the foreseeable future. The French defender limped off in the second-half against Liverpool prior to the break and has now been ruled out until December, with the injury-plagued centre-back suffering yet another setback.
Tosin Adarabioyo, though, is expected to return to the squad after missing the four games before the international break with a calf problem. Wesley Fofana has recovered from his concussion, while Trevoh Chalobah is set to return to the squad after serving his one-match suspension.
It could well be Maresca’s tried and trusted when it comes to the centre-back partnership at the City Ground. There is perhaps a shout for Fofana to start but Tosin may well get the nod alongside Chalobah, while Josh Acheampong can count himself unfortunate not to retain his spot in the back four.
Reece James has recovered from a minor injury in time for the trip to Nottingham. The Chelsea captain withdrew from the England squad due to an injury he suffered against Liverpool, but is expected to start at right-back, with Marc Cucurella on the other side.
There are some doubts over the fitness of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto, who all missed Thursday’s training session. Maresca will be desperate for all of them to be fit versus Forest, especially Caicedo, who is instrumental to the Chelsea side.
If he is fit enough then Caicedo could partner Romeo Lavia, who is bidding for his first start of the season for the Blues. The Belgian was impressive during his cameo appearance against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping he can stay fit for a long period to put his injury troubles behind him.
This could see Fernandez, if fit, start in the No.10 role and try and emulate Palmer. Easier said than done, of course, but the Argentine will have the help of Estevao Willian to his right and Alejandro Garnacho to the left.
Even if Neto is fit enough to start, Maresca could be tempted to rest him in Nottingham as he has plenty of wide options in his arsenal. Estevao scored the stoppage time winner against Liverpool earlier this month and continued his form for Brazil during the break, while Garnacho has been working at the club’s training centre in Cobham over the past fortnight.
Joao Pedro is fit to start and will hopefully benefit from being left out of the Brazil squad recently. The 24-year-old forward is without a goal in his last six matches and will be desperate to put that right this afternoon.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
