Chelsea will look to ring in the new year with a much-needed victory as they visit Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. After back-to-back defeats, the Blues find themselves in fourth place in the Premier League, slipping further away from the title race. However, Enzo Maresca’s men remain well-positioned to secure Champions League football in his debut season.
Chelsea's Recent Struggles
While Chelsea boasts a dominant record against Crystal Palace, their recent inconsistency has been concerning. Dropped points against Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich Town have raised questions about their ability to maintain momentum against lower-ranked sides. Saturday’s clash presents an opportunity for the Blues to reset and showcase their quality in London’s derby.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
Goalkeeper:
Robert Sanchez – After Filip Jorgensen's midweek start, Sanchez should reclaim his position in goal for this crucial encounter.
Defenders:
- Malo Gusto (RB): Likely to replace Axel Disasi, whose error against Ipswich proved costly.
- Tosin Adarabioyo (CB): Will face a tough challenge from Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
- Levi Colwill (CB): Tasked with improving his physical game after struggling against Ipswich’s Liam Delap.
- Marc Cucurella (LB): Needs to balance defensive duties against Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr while supporting Pedro Neto in attack.
Midfielders:
- Moises Caicedo (DM): Key to breaking up Palace’s attacks and maintaining midfield stability.
- Enzo Fernandez (DM): Despite a slight dip in form, Fernandez’s creativity will be crucial. He scored in this fixture last season.
Forwards:
- Noni Madueke (RW): A hit-or-miss player who needs to find consistency against Tyrick Mitchell.
- Cole Palmer (AM): The creative spark Chelsea desperately needs, with an excellent recent away record.
- Pedro Neto (LW): Likely to start over Joao Felix, offering pace and flair down the left flank.
- Nicolas Jackson (ST): Chelsea’s top scorer in the league will aim to end his three-game goal drought.
Key Battles
Chelsea’s midfield duo of Caicedo and Fernandez will need to dominate the likes of Eberechi Eze and Sarr to prevent Palace from gaining any foothold. Defensively, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill must handle the physicality of Mateta, while the wide matchups—Neto vs. Mitchell and Madueke vs. Sarr—will likely shape the outcome.
Conclusion
Enzo Maresca’s side must step up to keep their Champions League hopes alive. A win against Crystal Palace could serve as a confidence booster for what promises to be a challenging second half of the season.
