Chelsea v Liverpool Predicted Starting Lineups for Premier League Match Amid Nunez Update

Chelsea and Liverpool will go head-to-head in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, with the Blues in need of a victory to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

The Blues claimed a dominant 4-1 win over Djurgardens in Sweden in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg on Thursday to put one foot in the final, while they earned a 1-0 win over Everton in their last top-flight game last weekend. Arne Slot's side on the other hand officially sealed the title with a 5-1 win over Tottenham last time out, and will want to end the season as strongly as possible.

Both managers will have some decisions to make with their teams, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the sides to line up.

Chelsea Team News

Nkunku doubtful

Enzo Maresca faces a decision to make over his goalkeeper after Robert Sanchez was forced to miss the midweek game with a leg injury, while forward Christopher Nkunku also looks likely to be unavailable with a knock.

Wesley Fofana won't play again this season with a thigh injury, while Marc Guiu is also still recovering from a hamstring injury. Mykhailo Mudryk is still suspended pending a ban for doping, but Malo Gusto is available once again.

Chelsea Injuries and Suspensions Player Injury Potential Return Date Marc Guiu Hamstring 11/05/2025 Omari Kellyman Hamstring 01/06/2025 Robert Sanchez Leg 04/05/2025 Christopher Nkunku Knock 04/05/2025 Wesley Fofana Thigh 01/07/2025 Mykhailo Mudryk Suspended Unknown

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.

"At the moment, just Marc Guiu and (Aaron) Anselmino are out. Christo Nkunku has a small problem. When we get back to Cobham, the medical staff will tell me how he is and what his status is. He wasn't with us in Sweden. "It is exactly the same for Robert Sanchez too, although he is working on the pitch, so compared to Christo, he is a better situation. He wasn't with us in Sweden either, and we will see and assess them both before Sunday."

Chelsea Predicted XI

Palmer and Jackson to start

Chelsea Predicted XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Chelsea Predicted Substitutes: Bettinelli (GK), Acheampong (DEF), Gusto (DEF), Tosin (DEF), Badiashile (DEF), Lavia (MID), Dewsbury-Hall (MID), Neto (FWD), George (FWD).

While Chelsea will have one eye on the second leg of their semi-final clash, they know they must finish in the top five to secure Champions League football and a win here will greatly help that.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson should return to the starting lineup as a result of that, while £280,000-a-week duo Pedro Neto and Tosin will likely be on the bench.

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Liverpool Team News

Bradley fit again

Liverpool are set to welcome young right-back Conor Bradley back into the squad after a knock caused him to miss the title-winning game against Spurs.

Defender Joe Gomez remains sidelined following a hamstring injury and may not return before the season ends, while Slot could use this opportunity to give some fringe players some much deserved minutes.

Liverpool Injuries and Suspensions Player Injury Potential Return Date Conor Bradley Knock 04/05/2025 Joe Gomez Hamstring 25/05/2025

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.

“He [Bradley] will train with us today, so that’s the first start and let’s see how he does. “We expect him to be available. I don’t know if that means that he is available to start, but if all goes well today and tomorrow he will probably be in the squad, yeah."

Liverpool Predicted XI

Nunez and Chiesa to start

Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Chiesa; Nunez.

Liverpool Predicted Substitutes: Kelleher (GK), Bradley (DEF), Robertson (DEF), Gravenberch (MID), Jones (MID), Szoboszlai (MID), Diaz (FWD), Jota (FWD), Gakpo (FWD).

With the title already wrapped up this is a chance for Slot to give some fringe players minutes, and the likes of Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Endo Wataro and Harvey Elliott a chance to save their Anfield careers.

That means regulars Ryan Gravenberch and Andy Robertson, who earn a combined £310,000-a-week, are likely to be given a rest.

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