Chelsea could temporarily move top of the Premier League with a win against Everton on Sunday.
Five successive league wins in a row have seen Enzo Maresca’s side cut the gap between themselves and Liverpool at the top of the tree.
And with the Reds dropping points against Fulham last weekend, Chelsea now sit just points off the summit and play before Arne Slot’s side on Sunday.
Chelsea must first navigate their final Conference League game of the year against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday, but Maresca is expected to make several changes with his side’s passage into the knockout stage already secured.
There will be at least one further change for their league fixture against Everton after Marc Cucurella’s sending-off last Sunday against Brentford.
The Spaniard scored his side’s first goal at Stamford Bridge but was shown a second yellow card after an interaction following the full-time whistle and will now serve a one-match suspension.
In his absence, summer signing Renato Veiga is expected to deputise at full-back following his impressive performances in cup competitions.
Elsewhere, Maresca will hope to welcome back Romeo Lavia and Joao Felix into contention after the pair missed Chelsea’s last two games.
‘We had Joao and Romeo that probably can be available for the next one,’ Maresca confirmed following his side’s win against Brentford.
Pedro Neto will be available once again after serving his suspension, but the Portgueuse winger may have to settle for a space on the bench given the impressive performances of Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke.
Elsewhere, Tosin Adarabioyo could continue at centre-back, with Benoit Badiashille and Wesley Fofana still facing spells on the sidelines.
Fofana has been missing since injuring his hamstring against Aston Villa at the start of December, while Badiashille sustained an unknown injury in training prior to last weekend’s match.
‘Benoit had a problem yesterday during the session,’ Maresca revealed last Sunday. ‘For now, we do not know how long he will be out for.’
Maresca will also be without Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger was provisionally suspended following a failed drugs test.
The Ukrainian had missed Chelsea’s last five games, in part due to illness, but is not able to train with the team until a full investigation is carried out.
Should he be found guilty, Mudyryk could be facing a multiple-year ban.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Everton
Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Where to watch Everton vs Chelsea? Kick-off time and TV channel
Everton vs Chelsea kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, December 22. The match will not be broadcast live in the UK.
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