Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Chelsea will be up for a tough test against Crystal Palace in what is Graham Potter’s first Premier League game in charge of his new side.

Patrick Vieira will aim to get his team back up to speed with another difficult fixture on the cards. Crystal Palace will have to face the challenge posed by Chelsea at Selhurst Park, and the Frenchman will be eager to guide his side out of the slump they find themselves in.

Crystal Palace did show some upturn in the form after their opening night defeat to Arsenal. They have thus far managed draws against Liverpool, Brentford and Newcastle United, although the defeat to Manchester City will have been hard to take for Vieira.

After six rounds of fixtures, Vieira’s men find themselves in the 16th spot, something the manager would like to address. With only a single victory this season coming against Aston Villa, the Crystal Palace boss will be eager to grab another one when they take on a Chelsea side desperately lacking form.

Chelsea have made an indifferent start to their domestic campaign amidst plenty of drama. While their prolific spending in the window has yielded far fewer results than expected, the Blues will be aiming to see the team bounce back and stabilise their shaky start to the campaign.

Sitting in the seventh position, Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel earlier this month and brought Graham Potter in as the German’s replacement. The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss oversaw a hard-fought draw against Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League and will aim for a better result in his first Premier League game as the Chelsea boss.

Potter knows the need for quick improvements with results is necessary to instill belief throughout the season. Chelsea need points on board to keep their hopes alive to mount a title challenge, as they already trail Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City by a considerable margin.

Team News & Tactics

Crystal Palace

As many as four first-team players remain out of the picture ahead of the Chelsea clash, with Jack Butland, James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson and James McArthur out of contention due to various injury issues. Patrick Vieira is expected to name an unchanged lineup from Crystal Palace’s draw with Newcastle United.

A 4-3-3 setup is expected to take shape on the field, with Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen and Joel Ward likely to form the back four for Crystal Palace. Jeffrey Schlupp, Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze will take their places in central midfield.

Wilfried Zaha will be the main focus in the final third, with the attacker taking his place on the left side of the Crystal Palace attack. Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line against Chelsea, while Vieira will decide on using either Michael Olise or Jordan Ayew on the right-hand side, with the latter likely preferred.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Schlupp, Doucoure, Eze; Ayew, Mateta, Zaha

Chelsea

At the moment, Graham Potter does not have too many concerns with his squad, with the international break helping some players ease back into fitness. Chief among them are goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was in training this week. Christian Pulisic was also thought to have suffered a knock while on international duty, but the attacker is expected to be fine.

N’Golo Kante and Mendy remain sidelined for now, with the duo likely to be the only players to miss out on the Crystal Palace trip. Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella might miss out due to an illness. Potter will have taken the international break to figure out his best possible lineup, with the manager expected to retain a back three, similar to how he set up with Brighton.

Potter has various options, although he could go with a back three of Cesar Azpilicueta and Wesley Fofana and bring Kalidou Koulibaly on the left side of the central defence. That move could allow the manager to re-integrate Ben Chilwell at left wing-back, with Reece James playing on the opposite flank.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be expected to lead the line for Chelsea in place of Kai Havertz. Raheem Sterling is expected to play from the left side, while Mason Mount may occupy the position on the right. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho could take midfield positions.

Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Fofana, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling

Key Stats

• Chelsea have won their last ten matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Chelsea have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Crystal Palace have not kept a clean sheet at home this season.
• There have been under 2.5 goals scored in five of Crystal Palace’s last six home games in the Premier League.

Player to Watch

Raheem Sterling

The England international has been in decent form since arriving at Stamford Bridge. Sterling is yet to hit top levels, but he currently is the de facto leader of the Chelsea attack. However, there is a chance for Sterling to stand out in this Chelsea side and propel the team to new heights.

Chelsea have had their share of troubles since the season began, but a player of Sterling’s quality can always show them new ways to bring the best out of the other attackers. More importantly, he could become the man to elevate the club’s hopes this season and kick-start the Potter reign in style.

Prediction

Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea

With the international break arriving at the right moment for Chelsea, it has allowed Graham Potter an extended period to bed in with his ideas on the squad. Much is expected from the new Chelsea boss when his team takes on Crystal Palace, who have been in a bit of a struggle this season.

While Selhurst Park remains one of the toughest grounds to visit, a fully fit Chelsea squad are expected to take all three points. Things could be different if Patrick Vieira sets up a stoic defence against the Blues, but Potter’s men are clear favourites here. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Chelsea.