With kick-off at Stamford Bridge just a few hours away, it’s time to predict the side Eddie Howe will select for our final game of the 2022/23 season.
With Pope, Lascelles, Manquillo, Krafth, Ritchie, Joelinton, Willock ruled out through injury and top four already secured, here’s the XI I can see starting:
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson – Gordon, Isak, Saint-Maximin.
OUT: Pope, Burn, Almiron and Wilson? IN: Dubravka, Targett, Gordon, Saint-Maximin?
In goal, I expect Dubravka to replace Pope, with Howe talking up the Slovakian in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
At the back, this could be the ideal time to hand Targett a rare start and Burn a well deserved rest, although the lack of fit alternatives in midfield may mean Bruno, Longstaff and Anderson go again in the middle of the park. I do expect 17-year-old talent Lewis Miley to play some part, however. The local lad is one to watch as he waits for his Premier League debut.
In attack, it’s the perfect opportunity for Saint-Maximin and Gordon to show Howe what they can do heading into the summer. I think both start, although it’s a coin toss between Isak and Wilson. After a few weeks out wide, I’m backing the Swede to start in a central role here, allowing him to regain some rhythm in his preferred position.
