Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups: Premier League

6:45am on Saturday 4th January 2025
By Jake Skudder

Crystal Palace welcome Chelsea to Selhurst Park today in a 3pm Premier League kickoff. Both teams are eager to kick off the new year with a win, but they arrive with contrasting fortunes.

Chelsea, under the stewardship of Enzo Maresca, are looking to recover from a dismal end to 2024 that saw them lose consecutive games. Meanwhile, Palace have steadied their form under Oliver Glasner, but their home record remains a concern.

Historically, Chelsea have dominated this fixture, claiming victories in 12 of their last 15 visits to Selhurst Park. However, with the Blues struggling to find the back of the net recently and Palace becoming more defensively robust, this encounter promises to be a tight affair.

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea will be without Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile due to injuries, while Reece James is expected to return to the starting XI after being benched in the last game.

Maresca is likely to revert to his preferred lineup after experimenting against Ipswich. Robert Sánchez is poised to replace Filip Jørgensen in goal, and Nicolas Jackson and Pedro Neto are set to regain their spots in the attack.

Midfielders Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo are expected to anchor the midfield, with Cole Palmer continuing in a creative role. The defensive pairing of Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo will aim to provide stability at the back.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup to face Crystal Palace

Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Here is how the side last lined up

Crystal Palace Team News

Palace captain Marc Guehi is back from suspension and will likely slot into the defence. Adam Wharton remains sidelined with a groin injury, but Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma are set to continue their solid partnership in midfield.

Ismaïla Sarr, Eberechi Eze, and Jean-Philippe Mateta are expected to form a dynamic front three.

Oliver Glasner’s men have shown improved form lately, and they’ll look to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities at the back.