EPL: Palmer, Estevao start for Chelsea as Fernandes captains United

Politics Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us EPL: Palmer, Estevao start for Chelsea as Fernandes captains United Sports October 31, 2026 12:43 pm Cole Palmer

Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, has named Cole Palmer, Estevao and Romeo Lavia in his starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer returns to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension, while Brazilian youngster Estevao gets a starting opportunity after being left on the bench during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Lavia also starts in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, who captains the side, as Alonso makes his selection for the encounter.

Chelsea will line up with Mike Penders in goal, with Marco Palestra, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong in defence.

Lavia and Caicedo will anchor the midfield, while Estevao, Palmer and Pedro Neto operate behind Morgan Rogers in attack.

The Blues’ starting XI is: Penders; Palestra, Colwill, Fofana, Acheampong; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, has named Senne Lammens in goal, with Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in defence.

Bruno Fernandes captains the visitors, with Amad Diallo, Andrey Santos, Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba and Matheus Cunha also named in the starting line-up.

United’s starting XI is: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Yoro; Fernandes, Cunha, Amad, Santos, Mbeumo, Baleba.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Chelsea were without several notable players, including Reece James, João Pedro, Maxence Lacroix, Jorrel Hato, Emiliano Martínez, Jamie Gittens and Aaron Anselmino, who were not included in the matchday squad.

Manchester United also had notable absentees, with Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Šeško, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo missing from the squad.

PUNCH Online reports that Palmer returned to Chelsea’s starting line-up after serving a one-match suspension following his red card in the previous game, which ruled him out of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Estevao and Romeo Lavia also earned starting places for the Blues.

Meanwhile, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting XI after being an unused substitute in their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Tosin Oyediran is a journalist with Punch Newspapers, bringing over eight years of newsroom experience to his coverage of politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment. Known for sharp interviews and human-centered reporting, his work focuses on public accountability, civic issues, and the stories shaping everyday lives.

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