Chelsea return to Premier League action this afternoon looking to cement eighth place and boost European ambitions.

Mauricio Pochettino has gone with the same team that comprehensively beat Tottenham on Thursday night as he looks to put daylight between Chelsea and West Ham as the race for Europe heats up.

This week has been slightly positive with Levi Colwill, Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto all returning to the squad. Both Colwill and Nkunku will hope they get some minutes following almost three months out injured. The fact that they’ve been able to make the bench will boost Pochettino’s options if he has to change the game from the bench.

Even with the players returning, Chelsea are still without at least nine first-team players including Raheem Sterling and captain Reece James who is now racing against time to be fit for the tail end of the season.

There is never a dull moment when Chelsea take on West Ham even if the Hammers have struggled lately. On paper, this should be a straightforward game for the Blues as they have lost only one of their last 17 home games.

The team Pochettino has named

Chelsea have won eight of their last 10 league matches at Stamford Bridge, having won just one of the 14 before that so the form has been good and they could go the same points as Manchester United in seventh if they win today even though Erik ten Hag’s side will get their chance to respond when they travel to Selhurst Park on Monday night.

There is so much hanging on this game and both managers know this could be season-defining, so with that in mind, this is the team Pochettino has decided to go with.

Petrovic, Chalobah, Badiashile, Silva, Cucurella, Gallagher, Caicedo, Palmer, Mudryk, Madueke and Jackson.