Chelsea overcame the setback of their 3-2 loss to West Ham United by picking up a fine win against Watford during the weekend. And those three points mean the Blues have been able to reclaim their fourth spot from Manchester United.
Next up, they take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League away from home and Frank Lampard has a few injury concerns going into this game.
Crystal Palace have lost their last three matches in the Premier League meaning they will go into this match as the clear underdogs but the Blues will surely see a shuffle in the starting XI which could affect their game plans a bit.
Leicester City take on Arsenal on the very same day and there’s every chance that the Foxes could drop points in this game. So if the Blues can manage to pick up a win against Palace then they could go into the next matchweek in the third spot on the table.
Chelsea team news vs Palace:
Antonio Rudiger was rested against Watford but the defender will return to the starting line-up to partner Christensen on Tuesday, replacing Kurt Zouma.
Reece James could hold onto his place at right-back in which case Azpilicueta will once again slot in at left-back. Marcos Alonso has done pretty well since the resumption of the league and there’s also a chance that the Spaniard returns to the line-up.
N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are both ruled out with injuries, as confirmed by the manager so the midfield area will see a major reshuffle at Selhurst Park on Tuesday.
‘Kante won’t be in the squad,’ said Lampard in his pre-match press conference.
‘He has a low-level hamstring injury. We’re hoping it’ll be a week or so. I would expect we’ll be very lucky to have him for Sheffield United.
‘[Mateo] Kovacic trained with us today, he’s not ready for this game, hopefully, the next.’
Wit the two midfielders out, Jorginho might have a chance of starting in defensive midfield. But since the Italian is yet to play a match since the restart, young Billy Gilmour could also be used in his place.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is sure to get some game time vs the Eagles but we do not think the manager will be too eager to hand him a start, especially since Ross Barkley and Mason Mount have been doing so well.
Christian Pulisic and Willian practically select themselves in the final third and with the kind of form that Giroud is in right now, Tammy Abraham could once again be warming the benches on Tuesday.
