Chelsea will host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday and will look to take advantage of Liverpool dropping points against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Blues will move above Liverpool with a win as Maurizio Sarri’s side have a better goal difference compared to the Reds. Chelsea have won their last three games in all competitions following the late draw against Manchester United and are in a good run of form.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, did well to hold Arsenal last weekend and will look to put in the same effort and trouble Sarri’s side.
The Eagles have surprisingly won three of their last six games against Chelsea and considering the pace they possess, Palace will certainly be no pushovers despite their league position.
Roy Hodgson’s side have managed to win just twice in the Premier League so far, though, and their last victory came five matchdays ago on the road against Huddersfield Town.
Eden Hazard hasn’t featured for Chelsea since the game against Manchester United and looks set to return for the Blues. Olivier Giroud, however, could miss the game which means Alvaro Morata will get another start.
For Palace, the trio of Connor Wickham, Christian Benteke, and Joel Ward are long-term absentees and will miss the game. Scott Dann is close to a return but the game comes too early for him.
Chelsea gave a few players a breather during their mid-week EFL Cup tie against Derby County and expect the big guns to return.
Hazard’s will be the biggest addition to the squad but Cesc Fabregas and Mateo Kovacic could make way for Jorginho and Ross Barkley in midfield.
Palace, meanwhile, are likely to go with Jordan Ayew up top. Cheikhou Kouyate will add the muscle in a five-man midfield with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend adding the width. Max Meyer could play a part in the second half if the Eagles are left chasing the game.
Chelsea Predicted XI: Kepa; Alonso, Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Barkley, Jorginho, Kante; Hazard, Morata, Willian
Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Hennessey; Van Aanholt, Sakho, Tomkins, Wan-Bissaka; Zaha, McArthur, Kouyate, Milivojevic, Townsend; Ayew
Chelsea: 1/4
Palace: 10/1
Draw: 5/1
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