Vestergaard is averaging 1.00 fouls committed per 90 across his four Premier League appearances this season, he’s been in and out of Steve Cooper’s side but an injury crisis over the international break which has seen Leicester lose key players should see him start in this early kick off.

He’ll be up against Nicolas Jackson who is averaging 1.13 fouls won per 90 across his 11 Premier League appearances this season, his ability to hold up the ball and turn defenders is what has produced this record and he should get some joy against the robust Vestergaard who isn’t the most agile.

Vestergaard committed a foul in Leicester’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United just before the international break and his side could be in for another tough evening against a Chelsea side that gain confidence with every week and will be able to break through the anticipated Leicester mid-low block on a few occasions.

Reece James has picked up another injury over the international break which will see Malo Gusto move back into his familiar right back role after a few weeks of Maresca experimenting with the pair taking turns at left back.

Although he lines up as a right back on paper, Gusto pushes right up the pitch when Chelsea are in possession of the ball. This sees him take up positions just inside the right winger which is a congested area of the pitch. Gusto is averaging 0.74 fouls won per 90 across his nine Premier League appearances this season.

He’ll be up against Stephy Mavididi who has been pushed back further than he would like on multiple occasions this season informing his 1.47 fouls committed per 90 record across his 10 Premier League appearances. Expect Chelsea to control the game and Gusto to be brought down at least once when he pushes into these advanced positions.

Saliba is averaging 0.96 fouls committed per 90 across his 10 Premier League appearances this season, Arsenal’s shaky start to the campaign due to injuries and suspensions has resulted in a more difficult ride for Arsenal’s promising centre back who showed his quality on multiple occasions last season.

This increase in defensive load is most evident in his foul numbers, he averaged 0.58 fouls committed per 90 across 38 Premier League appearances last campaign with a more consistent set up in midfield and the fullback areas providing solid scaffolding for Arsenal’s centre backs. This hasn’t been as present this season with injuries in midfield and fullback areas disrupting the rhythm Arteta found with this side last season.

He’ll be up against Chris Wood who is averaging 0.70 fouls won per 90 across his 10 Premier League appearances this season and often is a vocal point for Nottingham Forest to hold up the play before releasing their dangerous and effective wingers in Callum Hudson Odoi and Anthony Elanga. He was fouled once in the meeting between these sides at the City Ground last season. Saliba committed a foul in both meetings between the sides last season, contesting 14 duels across the two games.

Tarkowski is averaging 1.18 fouls committed per 90 across his 11 Premier League appearances this season, the centre back regularly posts high duel numbers and isn’t afraid of an aerial challenge against his opposite number which is usually where his infringements come from.

He’ll be up against Yoanne Wissa who isn’t the most physical in duels with centre backs but good at winning fouls through his quick movement and speed when running in behind. He’s averaging 2.38 fouls won per 90 across his eight Premier League appearances this season which have also produced eight goal contributions (7 goals, 1 assist).

Tarkowski contested 19 duels across both meetings between these sides last season, impressively he managed to win 18 of these meaning that he didn’t commit a foul in either meeting but this record is unlikely to be replicated in this clash, the high duel numbers indicate that he will be heavily involved in the physical contest in this encounter.

Gomes is averaging 0.87 fouls won per 90 across his 11 Premier League appearances this season, the midfielder has put in some solid performances in what has been a difficult season for Wolves so far. He’s more known for his tackles and fouls committed record but Fulham’s aggressive midfield setup should result in him being hauled down at least once.

He’ll be up against Sander Berge and Andreas Pereira who are averaging 1.99 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season. There is a new role for Pereira who is playing slightly deeper to accommodate the inform Emile Smith Rowe and this has seen Pereira be a bit lazy in his tackles at times as he adapts to the increased defensive responsibility.

Gomes contested 12 duels and was fouled three times in this fixture last season, he also contested a further 14 duels in the reverse fixture between these sides at Molineux last campaign.