Chelsea lineup vs. Nottingham Forest: Predicted XI for Premier League clash after Cole Palmer injury update

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will not be on the touchline for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, but the Italian still has many a selection dilemma to solve.

The Blues boss is serving a one-game suspension for his red card in the 2-1 win over Liverpool prior to the international break, having been unable to restrain himself after Estevao's last-minute winner.

Maresca joins Cole Palmer (groin), Benoit Badiashile (muscle) Liam Delap (hamstring), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping ban) as guaranteed absentees for Saturday, while all of Enzo Fernandez (knee), Moises Caicedo (unspecified) and Pedro Neto (unspecified) will need assessing closer to the time.

However, Trevoh Chalobah is eligible to play again following suspension, so he and Fofana could line up in front of number one Robert Sanchez.

James and Fernandez are not thought to be nursing serious issues, but Chelsea should exercise caution over the former in particular, so Malo Gusto should operate at right-back with Romeo Lavia and Caicedo in the double pivot, assuming the latter is fit enough.

Fernandez's loss could be compatriot Facundo Buonanotte's gain in the number 10 role - if Palmer is still not passed fit - and the young Argentine should be flanked by Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho in support of chief attacking threat Joao Pedro. 

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho; Pedro

> Click here to see how Nottingham Forest could line up for this game