Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are currently running away with the Premier League title as they are 10 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur who are placed 2nd in the points table. The Blues have beaten Bournemouth, West Ham United and Swansea City in the last three games and will hope to take 3 more points from their game against local rivals Crystal Palace.
Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace are a team on the rise as they have now beaten Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Watford, all without conceding a goal, in their previous three fixtures in the competition. The Stamford Bridge is not an easy place to visit but the Eagles will be confident that they can get at least a point from this game.
So the Chelsea boss will go with his strongest lineup to face a confident Crystal Palace side.
Team News:
The manager might miss the likes of Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois who are doubtful for this tie against Palace. The goalkeeper did not feature in his country’s game against Russia and could be on the sidelines. Diego Costa picked up an ankle injury and may not be available while John Terry and Victor Moses are both ruled out as well.
Formation: 3-4-3
GK – Asmir Begovic
Though Courtois could yet be back in time, Conte should stick with a 100% fit Begovic for this game at Stamford Bridge.
CB – Kurt Zouma
Zouma should get a chance to be a part of the back line in this game as Cesar Azpilicueta would be occupying the position of the absent Victor Moses.
CB – David Luiz
The Brazil international has had a superb season so far in the middle of the back-3 for Chelsea and should keep his place in the side for this game.
CB – Gary Cahill
The England international did not have a fruitful international break but should be fully ready for the Premier League action this weekend.
RWB – Cesar Azpilicueta
With Victor Moses a doubt for this game, Mourinho can push Azpilicueta to the flank, giving him a chance at wing-back with Zouma deputizing in the back line.
CM – N’Golo Kante
The midfield powerhouse for Chelsea was superb in his performances for the national team during the break and will be high on confidence going into this game. Now that he covers 70% of the Earth, he will be raring to cover the remaining 30% as well.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
Though Matic will add some mettle to the midfield, Fabregas will help Chelsea break open the Palace defense which has been miserly and hence the Spaniard should get the nod for this game.
LWB – Marcos Alonso
Growing in stature game by game, Alonso is one of the most productive players in his position in the league and will be a danger to Palace defence in this tie.
RW – Willian
The Brazilian winger has been in electric form of late and Conte should stick with him on the right wing for this game against the Eagles.
CF/ ST – Pedro
The Spanish winger has also been in decent form for Chelsea and with Diego Costa absent, he should start as a false-9, in an interchanging role with the front three.
LW – Eden Hazard
The Belgian playmaker himself revealed that he is fit for this game and he should be a part of the front three alongside Pedro and Willian for this game.