Chelsea need a win against Newcastle United later to have a chance of getting back into the top four.
Enzo Maresca‘s men fell out of the Champions League spots last Sunday after losing 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield.
They currently sit seventh in the table, but Chelsea can move up to fourth if they beat Newcastle and Arsenal lose against Liverpool.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 4 |  ArsenalArsenal | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 |
| 5 |  BrightonBrighton | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 16 |
| 6 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 16 |
| 7 |  ChelseaChelsea | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 14 |
| 8 |  TottenhamTottenham | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 13 |
| 9 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 12 |
Maresca has persisted with the same attack in the Premier League this season, but this could be the appropriate game for the Chelsea manager to give one of his other offensive players an opportunity.
- READ MORE: Glenn Hoddle claims £45m Chelsea player was the ‘pick of the bunch’ in Panathinaikos victory
Joao Felix could be the difference for Chelsea
Joao Felix is actually yet to start a Premier League match for Chelsea since joining the club from Atletico Madrid in a £45m deal over the summer.
However, Felix is still obviously a very talented and technical forward. The 24-year-old showed some of his ability in the Blues’ 4-1 win against Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday.
Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle can be quite resilient and are not afraid to sit back. This season, for example, they have only conceded eight goals in eight league matches.
Chelsea may find it tricky to unpick their defence. But Felix is a player who is capable of producing something special, while the Portuguese pops up in dangerous positions on the pitch as a No.10.
He may be the key to unlocking what could be a very sturdy Newcastle backline. “He is doing fantastic,” Maresca said when discussing how Felix has fared since returning to Chelsea.
How can Enzo Maresca fit Joao Felix into the team?
Felix’s best position is just behind the striker, but that is where Cole Palmer is currently playing.
There is no chance in the world that Maresca would drop Palmer to accommodate Felix. To get both of them into the same side, then, perhaps Palmer could move to the right, where he spent most of last season.
It took a lot of money to bring Felix back to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans will be eager to see what he can really do.
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