Estevao decision, Delap vs Joao Pedro - Chelsea lineups vs Fulham

Liam Delap and Joao Pedro during a Chelsea training session (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea are gearing up for their third straight London derby to start the Premier League season, having kicked off with a draw against Crystal Palace and an emphatic win against West Ham last time out.

Enzo Maresca's side started shakily against the Hammers, but found their footing quickly with their attack in full flow and set-pieces capitalised upon.

Their opponents this weekend are west-London rivals Fulham , who have begun the season with back-to-back draws against Brighton and Manchester United , coming from a goal down on each occasion.

The Blues will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, but there are some selection dilemmas for the Chelsea manager - Cole Palmer will be absent again, for example. Who should Maresca pick to start at Stamford Bridge?

Bobby Vincent

Robert Sanchez in goal, of course, with the back four consisting of Reece James at right-back, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo in the middle, and Marc Cucurella on the left-hand side.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in front of the defence, after both of them got on the score sheet in last week’s win at West Ham United. In front of the midfield duo is when things become a bit trickier and complicated.

Cole Palmer is out, we know that, so surely you look no further than what we saw at the London Stadium. Joao Pedro as the No.10 again, with Estevao Willian on the right wing and Pedro Neto on the left. There is a case to start with Jamie Gittens on the left, but I personally do not see how you could take one of Estevao or Neto out of the side.

Then, of course, Liam Delap as the sole No.9. It was not a spectacular display from Delap at West Ham but it was one you can take many positives from. It would be great to see him open his Premier League account for the Blues on Saturday.

Bobby's XI : Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto; Delap.

Joe Doyle

Let's get the easy bit out the way: Robert Sanchez starts in goal, with a defence of Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Cucurella.

It's still simple in the centre of midfield as Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez start; there's no need to rotate here with the international break coming up next.

In attack is the only real place where there are options for Maresca to make changes. For me, Cole Palmer's absence clears things up a bit for Maresca.

Estevao Willian starts on the right with Joao Pedro in the No.10 role. With Alejandro Garnacho set to arrive but not in time to start, I think I'd go for Jamie Gittens to see what he can do with the pressure on. And then Liam Delap starts in the No.9 role.

Joe's XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Gittens; Delap.