Chelsea will lock horns with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this Saturday afternoon as they look to pick up all three points in the London derby. The Blues were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Red Bull Salzburg before the international break, so they will be eager to get back to winning ways this weekend.
Graham Potter will opt for a 3-5-2 formation and is expected to make one change to his starting XI for this game. Wesley Fofana will play from the start while Cesar Azpilicueta drops to the bench for this match away from home.
3-5-2 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Crystal Palace
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will function in goal for the Blues after conceding one goal versus Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League in his last appearance. The West London club could opt for a back three of Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana for this game on the road. All three centre-backs need to defend their penalty box well if they want to keep things solid at the back this weekend.
Cesar Azpilicueta will provide cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and Mason Mount will anchor the midfield for the Blues as they try to give a good account of themselves at the centre of the park. Both Mount and Kovacic will be expected to make some decent plays for others around them in the final third.
Raheem Sterling could get a chance to put in a productive display on the left flank while Reece James tries to catch the eye as the right wing-back. James will have to deliver some inviting crosses into the Palace penalty box and make some overlapping runs down the right flank.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher will be named on the bench as they wait for their opportunity to shine in the second 45 minutes if required.
Attack
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Kai Havertz will lead the charge for the West London club on the attacking third of the pitch. Both of them need to be more clinical in front of the Palace goal if Chelsea are to come out on top this Saturday afternoon.
Armando Broja will have to settle for a spot on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages of the London derby if Graham Potter’s side are in need of a goal by then.
