Chelsea welcome London rivals Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, bidding to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Blues dumped Newcastle United out of the Carabao Cup via penalty shootout last week but failed to build on that result as they were beaten 2-1 by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday—which marked their fourth away consecutive league loss. Following the result at Molineux, the west London side remain 10th in the table.
Mauricio Pochettino would have been hugely disappointed to see his team’s lack of cutting-edge in front of goal against Wolves. He will expect a stirring response from his boys against Crystal Palace, who are on a seven-game winless run.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea will be without Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer for the visit of Crystal Palace due to suspension after the English attackers picked up their fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves.
Enzo Fernandez is set to be missing for the second straight game due to a hernia issue, while defenders Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell remain out. But both Noni Madueke and Romeo Lavia are available after the pair returned from injury to make the squad against Wolves. Moises Caicedo missed Chelsea’s defeat at Wolves due to illness, and Pochettino will hope he is back for the game against Crystal Palace.
Lesley Ugochukwu started against Wolves but was taken off with what appeared to be an injury, so his involvement in midweek remains doubtful.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Djordje Petrovic will continue deputising for the injured Robert Sanchez in goal, and he must produce a solid performance to keep a clean sheet against Crystal Palace.
Defence
The Blues will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill featuring in defence in the Chelsea lineup. Silva will partner Disasi in central defence, while Gusto and Colwill operate as the full-backs.
The quartet must protect the goalkeeper and keep things rock-solid at the back.
Midfield
Conor Gallagher has been a mainstay under Pochettino and should start in midfield in the Chelsea lineup. Moises Caicedo could partner Gallagher in the double pivot if he recovers from illness, with Nicolas Jackson operating in the hole behind the main striker.
Christopher Nkunku marked his first-ever league action with a goal off the bench at Molineux and could be in line to start against Palace. However, Pochettino is expected to bring him off the bench again as the Frenchman looks to get match fit.
Attack
The suspensions of Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer should see Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke start on the left and right wing, respectively in the Chelsea lineup. Pochettino will want his wide players to be direct and cause problems for the opposition backline from the first blow of the whistle.
Armando Broja is likely to be tasked with leading the Chelsea attack again, and the Albanian will aim to get on the scoresheet against Roy Hodgson’s side.
