Chelsea is set to face Aston Villa in a crucial Premier League match, with both teams looking to improve their standings as the season progresses.
Chelsea has been doing well lately under coach Enzo Maresca. They won against Leicester City and had another victory in the Conference League, bringing them closer to advancing in that tournament.
On the other hand, Aston Villa has had a tough time, winning only one of their last eight matches. Coach Unai Emery is facing some pressure as the team has dropped to eighth place in the league.
Despite their recent struggles, the teams are only four points apart in the standings. This match could be important for both teams as the season continues.
The match will kick off at 1:30 PM GMT on Sunday, December 1. Fans can watch it live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, starting at 1 PM.
For those who don’t have Sky, a NOWTV Day Pass is available for purchase to watch the game without a subscription.
In terms of team news, Chelsea’s captain Reece James might be out until mid-January due to an injury. However, Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto have returned to training and could play against Villa.
Coach Maresca will need to decide who will partner Moises Caicedo in midfield. Enzo Fernandez did well in the last match, but Romeo Lavia has been a regular starter in big games.
With Gusto back, Chelsea is expected to field a familiar defense. There’s a chance that Filip Jorgensen could take over as goalkeeper after his impressive performance in the last game.
The attacking lineup should remain consistent, with Noni Madueke and Neto on the wings, Palmer in the middle, and Nicolas Jackson leading the attack.
Aston Villa is likely to field a similar team to the one that drew with Juventus. Boubacar Kamara will start in midfield as Amadou Onana is still unavailable.
Ezri Konsa could return to the defense alongside Pau Torres. Jacob Ramsey is still out, so the front three will likely include Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, and John McGinn, with Ollie Watkins as the striker.
As for predictions, Chelsea is favored to win, given Villa’s recent difficulties and Chelsea’s improved form. The expected score is Chelsea 2, Aston Villa 1.
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