Predicted Chelsea Line up vs Crystal Palace – Willian On Right And Hazard On Left

Having demolished Arsenal just a couple of weeks back, Jose Mourinho will be looking to strengthen his grip on the Premier League title race when his Chelsea machine visit the high flying Crystal Palace. In what proved to be a triumph of tactics and know-how over pretty football lacking an end product, Mourinho maintained his perfect, unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger to ensure Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table remains 5 points, which when put into perspective, is miles above in Premier League terms. Diego Costa was sumptuously fed by Cesc Fabregas for his ninth goal in seven games, and having tucked away his first goal for La Roja over the week against Luxembourg, the Spaniard would be even more hungry to continue his fine scoring form for Chelsea.

Predicted Chelsea Line up vs Crystal Palace

Let’s put ourselves in Jose Mourinho’s shoes and pick his team to take on Palace at the weekend.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois has well and truly established himself as the No.1 goalkeeper this season and after recording his third clean sheet against the Gunners, the Belgian would not be willing to let his goal be breached easily.

Defence

Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta.

In Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea have an experienced center half who has moulded himself into a marauding right back, adept as much in an attacking sense as defensive. The centre back partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry laid the foundations for  Chelsea’s UCL winning campaign in 2012 and the experienced England duo should continue at the heart of defence. While Filipe Luis has found opportunities few and far between, Jose Mourinho has kept faith with the ever dependable Cesar Azpilicueta. And after keeping Sanchez in his back pocket in the previous game, the Spaniard would be confident of keeping the Palace attackers at bay.

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Midfield

Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard.

Nemanja Matic has added to Chelsea in more ways than one. Firstly, the big Serbian provides that much needed balance in midfield, mopping up and doing the dirty work to feed the likes of Willian and Hazard. Secondly, Cesc Fabregas’ game has flourished alongside an anchoring player of Matic’s ability and the Spaniard displayed his ability to pick that perfect pass when he gently looked up to free Diego Costa in behind the Arsenal defence for the crucial second goal. Oscar always tends to save his best for Champions League occasions, but the industrious Brazilian’s workrate and ability makes him a ready-made Jose Mourinho player, somebody who combines skill with graft.

Willian and Hazard look the most likely to occupy the wide positions in the attacking threesome, with the Brazilian operating on the left and the silky Belgian on the left. Hazard looked devastating on the break against Arsenal and scored that early first half goal to ease the nerves at the Bridge. Willian could well take Schurrle’s place for this one, the German seems to get the nod in the bigger games and preserved for the lesser teams, thanks to Jose’s rotation policy.

Striker

Diego Costa

Diego Costa expressed his relief at having broken his Spanish duck in Luxembourg this week and would be itching to get going in the Premier League after his sizzling start to life in England – 9 goals in 7 league games. The Spaniard seems to relish feeding off the likes of Fabregas, Hazard and Oscar and Chelsea’s counter attacking style suits his game.

Courtois

Ivanovic,  Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta.

Matic, Fabregas

Willian,   Oscar,    Hazard.

Costa