Chelsea are gearing up to reverse their fortunes as they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, 4 January 2025. Following an impressive streak of eight consecutive Premier League wins, Enzo Maresca's side has hit a turbulent patch, going three matches without victory during the congested festive season.
Now sitting fourth in the league, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, the Blues are desperate to rekindle their spark and stay in contention for a top-four finish.
Complicating their task is a rejuvenated Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner. After a shaky start to the season, the Eagles have found their footing, losing only once in their last eight league outings. Sitting just five points clear of the relegation zone, they are fresh off a spirited 2-1 comeback win against Southampton.
With the stakes high for both sides, this London derby promises to be a fiercely contested affair.
Injury woes and lineup decisions
Chelsea’s preparations for Saturday’s match haven’t been smooth sailing, with injuries continuing to pile up. Wesley Fofana remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Benoît Badiashile is still unavailable for the long haul.
Romeo Lavia’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, further limiting Chelsea’s midfield options. Additionally, Carney Chukwuemeka is struggling with illness, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a doubt due to a knock.
There is a glimmer of hope with Reece James’ recent return to the bench against Ipswich Town, although it remains unclear if he will feature on Saturday. Should James regain match fitness in time, he could provide a much-needed boost to a Chelsea side struggling to make adjustments.
Up front, Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho are expected to lead the attack, while Pedro Neto looks likely to step into Noni Madueke’s role on the wing.
Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo will be pivotal in midfield, especially given the doubts surrounding Lavia and Dewsbury-Hall. In defence, Malo Gusto is expected to start at right-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill forming the central defensive pairing. Marc Cucurella is slated to fill the left-back position, while Robert Sánchez, rested in the midweek loss to Ipswich, is likely to return as Chelsea’s goalkeeper.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Crystal Palace
Sánchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernández, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Crystal Palace’s perspective and match background
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will gain a major boost with the return of captain Marc Guéhi following suspension. However, injuries continue to hamper their plans, with Adam Wharton and Matheus França unavailable.
Historically, Chelsea have dominated this match-up, winning 38 of their past meetings compared to Palace’s 12, with 16 matches ending in draws. Yet, the current form of both teams suggests a far tighter contest than the historical record might imply.
The match kicks off at 3 PM GMT, but fans in the United Kingdom will have to rely on other updates due to the league’s 3 PM broadcast blackout rule.