Chelsea will be hoping to start the New Year with a bang when they visit Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Back-to-back defeats have seen the Blues slip to fourth place in the Premier League and Enzo Maresca’s men will be desperate to bounce back at Selhurst Park. Although the fight for the title will likely prove too difficult, they are well placed to achieve Champions League qualification in the Italian coach’s debut season.
Chelsea have an exceptional record against Crystal Palace, but have lost points to so-called “weaker” teams in recent games. Everton, Fulham and Ipswich Town have all tripped up Maresca’s side in the Premier League.
Here’s how Chelsea could line up for an important trip across London.
TW: Robert Sanchez – Filip Jorgensen made a rare Premier League start midweek as Maresca moved, but Sanchez remains number one. The Spaniard should return between the posts at a raucous Selhurst Park.
RB: Malo Gusto – Axel Disasi’s error proved costly against Ipswich and Gusto should return to the starting XI after only being used from the bench at Portman Road. Reece James was one of the substitutes against the Tractor Boys but will not return to action.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – Injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile haven’t helped Chelsea’s recent success, but Tosin remains a competent defender. However, he will have his hands full with Jean-Philippe Mateta.
CB: Levi Colwill – Like Adarabioyo, Cobham graduate Colwill struggled with the physicality of Liam Delap last time out. Will be tested by the similarly powerful Mateta at Selhurst Park.
LB: Marc Cucurella – The double teaming of Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr could prove a challenge for Cucurella, who will need plenty of support from Pedro Neto. However, the Spaniard can cause problems for Munoz on the other side.
DM: Moises Caicedo – Caicedo was one of Chelsea’s strongest players against Ipswich and has generally shown consistency and solidity as a number six this season. The Ecuadorian will be tasked with suppressing Sarr and Eberechi Eze as they drift in.
DM: Enzo Fernandez – Fernandez’s excellent scoring and assist streak has stalled in recent games, although the World Cup winner is still enjoying his more advanced role. He scored a goal in this very game last season.
RW: Noni Madueke – Chelsea need more consistency from Madueke, who continues to play hot and cold on the right wing. The five-time England international should have an exciting battle with the defensive-minded Tyrick Mitchell.
AM: Cole Palmer – Palmer came close several times against Ipswich and is always the one most likely to bring joy at Chelsea. He has scored three goals in his last three away games and will undoubtedly cause chaos in Palace’s midfield and defense.
LW: Pedro Neto – Joao Felix is expected to return to the bench on Saturday, with Neto and Jadon Sancho fighting for his starting place. The Portuguese could triumph in this duel as he wants to impress Maresca.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Christopher Nkunku failed to shine in an increasingly unusual Premier League start at Portman Road as Maresca’s preferred number nine returned against Palace. Jackson has scored nine goals in the league this season but has not scored in his last three.