Chelsea star Cole Palmer should be fit to face Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday (Image: GETTY)
will get the latest round of Premier League fixtures underway on Saturday when they travel to Leicester in the lunchtime kick-off.
The Blues have climbed to third in the top-flight table after winning five matches this season and will be aiming to lay down another marker as returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time since quitting as Foxes boss in the summer.
Maresca is likely to include and Levi Colwill from the outset after the duo pulled out of Lee Carsley’s final England squad with fitness issues.
The Italian also looks set to keep faith with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, despite a number of underwhelming performances from the shot-stopper this season. And Express Sport looks at how the Blues could line up in the east Midlands.
Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Leicester (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Sanchez
Sanchez has already been guilty of a fair few howlers this season, with question marks now looming over his place in the team. But the Spaniard has also kept his side in matches at times this campaign and will be given another opportunity to show what he can do.
Defence: Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella
Reece James suffered another injury setback over the international break and will be absent for the trip to Leicester. Malo Gusto will therefore keep his place at right-back, with Marc Cucurella lining up on the opposite flank.
Colwill has been given a clean bill of health after missing England’s matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland and will be thrust into the heart of the backline.
The 21-year-old has played every minute of every match this season and has continued to excel in a Blues shirt. He is likely to be partnered by Wesley Fofana once again.
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Chelsea ace Reece James has been ruled out of his side’s trip to Leicester (Image: GETTY)
Midfield: Lavia, Caicedo
Maresca could have another headache in midfield, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez only arriving back in England on Thursday following matches in South America.
Maresca will do all he can to select Caicedo, with the Ecuador international captaining the Blues against last time out.
And he could be joined in the centre of the pitch by Romeo Lavia, who has started ’s last four matches. Lavia missed both of Belgium’s Nations League clashes during the international break but will be hoping to recover in time to face Leicester.
Forwards: Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
have been formidable in front of goal this season and have already scored 21 goals.
Palmer has been the beating heart of the team once again this term and appears to be fit enough to start after being spotted in training ahead of the clash.
and Noni Madueke should provide the width on the wings, with Nicolas Jackson likely to spearhead the attack after bagging six goals.