Frank Lampard will be tempted to throw N’Golo Kante straight back into action after the midfielder returned to training this week following an ankle injury.
Kante was arguably the best player on the pitch when Chelsea faced Liverpool in the Uefa Super Cup last month. The Blues lost that match but produced one of their finest display yet under Lampard, leaving the 41-year-old with a tactical conundrum on Sunday.
He has favoured a 3-4-2-1 system in Chelsea’s last two games, a move designed to inject greater stability at the back which has yielded mixed results. They put five past Wolves but conceded twice at Molineux and were beaten at home by Valencia on Tuesday.
Mason Mount is not thought to have suffered ankle ligament damage in the latter game but he is a major doubt for Sunday with Pedro a possibility to replace him.
Tammy Abraham did not enjoy his best night in front of goal in midweek but his overall contribution so far this season may be enough to keep him above Olivier Giroud in the pecking order.
Chelsea predicted lineup
[3-4-2-1]: Kepa, Zouma, Christensen, Tomori; Azpilicueta, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Abraham
