Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea team news vs Crystal Palace: Predicted line up – Hazard uncertainty, double injury
CHELSEA manager Maurizio Sarri has a number of injury issues to contend with ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday (12pm).
Chelsea are looking to consolidate their hold on fourth place in the table when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Blues got back on track with a 2-1 victory over Watford on Boxing Day, having slumped to a surprise 1-0 defeat against Leicester four days earlier.
**PREDICT FIVE RESULTS AND WIN £25,000 - FREE TO PLAY HERE**
Eden Hazard scored both goals against the Hornets from a ‘false nine’ position, bringing his tally to 101 across all competitions for Chelsea.
The Belgian has flourished in an advanced position in recent weeks but may be forced back out wide against the Eagles due to injuries in the Blues squad.
Maurizio Sarri is set to be without Spanish winger Pedro after his limped off holding his hamstring at Vicarage Road.
The former Barcelona ace was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi but the youth academy graduate was himself forced off with five minutes of the clash remaining.
Both wingers are almost certain to miss out against Roy Hodgson’s side, meaning Hazard could be deployed on the left once more with Olivier Giroud recalled up front.
Willian should switch wings to accommodate Hazard, while Sarri may be tempted to rotate his midfielders after selecting an unchanged side last time out.
Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic could both be handed a well-earned rest with Cesc Fabregas most likely to get the nod in front of the back four.
Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are in contention for the final midfield slot alongside the indomitable N’Golo Kante.
Andreas Christensen is unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury during the Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth, but would not have started anyway.
David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger should retain their spots in central defence while Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso complete the first-choice back four.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Crystal Palace – Premier League
(4-3-3) Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Fabregas, Kante, Barkley; Willian, Hazard, Giroud