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Crystal Palace face a tough assignment this weekend in the form of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
The Eagles come into the game fresh off the back of a 1-1 draw with Everton last Monday, a game in which Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to net a late equaliser.
Could Roy Hodgson be tempted to switch up his side for the visit of the west Londoners to Selhurst Park this evening?
We are expecting just two alterations from Palace this weekend, both for tactical reasons.
Vicente Guaita will continue in goal but their will be a slight switch in the defence in front of him.
Will Crystal Palace beat Chelsea today?
Yes!
Not this time…
Cheikhou Kouyate could be moved back into midfield against the Blues, which leaves an absence at centre-back. Experienced campaigner Scott Dann could be recalled to partner Gary Cahill at the heart of defence, whilst the likes of Patrick van Aanholt and Joel Ward will once again be named on either side.
With Kouyate moved back into the centre of the park, this could see Jairo Riedewald, who has started the Eagles’ last three Premier League matches, dropped to the bench. The Dutchman was ineffective against Everton, having the fewest touches of anyone in Hodgson’s starting XI on Merseyside.
James McCarthy’s return has certainly given Hodgson something to think about in regards to the midfield but he is also likely to make do with a place amongst the substitutes. Elsewhere, Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze will be selected on the flanks.
Following his goal at Goodison Park, there may have been calls for Batshuayi to start this game, but he is ineligible against his parent club.
Christian Benteke will likely lead the line but his partner Jordan Ayew, who has scored just once in the league this season, might be replaced by £13.5m-rated on-loan Mainz forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.
AND in more news, find out why a former Chelsea boss could be providing a big clue as to who could be the next manager in the Crystal Palace dugout…
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