Issa Diop will be missing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend due to his suspension after picking up five yellow cards.
With Winston Reid not quite ready for a return this is likely to mean that Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna will automatically get starting places on Saturday with Aaron Cresswell and Ryan Fredericks either side of them. The back four could be protecting a new goalkeeper in the form David Martin if reports turn out to be true.
The absence of Diop from the matchday squad could see the return of Arthur Masuaku to the bench who has been a notable squad absentee for four league games. With no wins in seven Premier League games Manuel Pellegrini will be enormous pressure to get something out of this game with time running out the 66-year-old manager.
Claret And Hugh early team selection prediction: Martin, Cresswell, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Fredericks, Noble, Rice, Snodgrass, Anderson, Yarmolenko, Haller
I think Rice will replace him . He had 20 mins there against Spuds in preparation once Diop had his 5th yellow.
Would love to Rice in the middle of a back 3, i think this would be his ideal position.
Watching Chelsea last night, not very hopeful although do fancy us to score one !
Reckon Lampard will make a few changes but still way too strong for us.
Sean, have I missed something 🤔
No Antonio or you having him on the bench to start with… and then coming on with us hopefully only 1-0 down.. (we live in hope)
Hopefully last nights European endeavours for Chelsea have left them “leg weary” otherwise I think it’s like lambs to the slaughter with this starting XI….
Sean i recon your almost correct other than the keeper. .MP don’t like to lose his FACE..
I would certainly like Antonio to start after his successful introduction vs Spurs and would have Winston on the bench alongside Masuaku and Holland
Also at least let it be a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 rather than the suicidal 4-1-4-1
I remember BFS and the 19th century football with Roger the relegator Johnson playing a blinder in a goalless draw – I’d bite your hand off for a repeat of that result
Pelle – are you listening? Do you want to keep your job?
COYI
Sorry Sean but Apart From Martin in for the hapless Roberto,That is a suicidal selection to play Chelsea.Its just the same up top as it has been during this disastrous run.Antonio has to start.Despite just coming back from injury(no good when we are 2 or 3 down).Anderson and Yarmolenko are woefully out of form and if Pellegrini picks this starting 11 he may of just signed his own death warrant.He has nothing to lose now.Why not give Holland or Scully a chance.?.Bet you Lampard would.