Chelsea are desperate to bounce back having gone three matches without a win after back-to-back defeats to Ipswich and Fulham, following a goalless draw at Everton.
Enzo Maresca was adamant that his side were not title challengers, a point potentially proven after slipping up against teams they were expected to beat, falling 10 points behind leaders Liverpool in the process.
Rotation was a point of contention in the defeat to Ipswich, with Maresca happy to chop and change once more, but he will likely play what he feels is his strongest team for a tricky trip to Crystal Palace.
Express Sport looks at how Chelsea could line up in a London derby…
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Chelsea’s Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Sanchez
Filip Jorgensen was handed just his second Premier League start against Ipswich, after a mixed season for Robert Sanchez, but the Spanish stopper will likely come back in to face Palace.
The former Brighton goalkeeper is the more experienced of the pair and Maresca will hope to use that to his advantage.
Defence: Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella
Axel Disasi started at right-back against Ipswich, but has struggled to fit in under Maresca and few would be surprised if Malo Gusto came immediately back into the team.
A fit Romeo Lavia might have seen Moises Caicedo shuffle into the back four, but the Belgian is set to miss out as he continues his comeback from injury.
Long-term injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile offer an extended opportunity to Tosin Adarabioyo.
Midfield: Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer
The midfield three picks itself right now, with Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer three of Chelsea’s strongest performers this season.
There was not another central midfielder on the bench against Ipswich last time out, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall not involved due to a 'technical decision' and he is potentially leaving Stamford Bridge on loan this month.
Palmer has just one goal and zero assists in his last four matches, a relative slump for the England international, but he will hope to get back to his best in south London.
Attack: Madueke, Jackson, Sancho
There are a few decisions to be made in the front three, with a misfiring trio of Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix unable to break Ipswich down.
It’s unlikely that all three will be replaced, but Nicolas Jackson has proven across the season that he is the undisputed first-choice striker and will almost certainly be restored to that position to face Palace.
With the marauding Daniel Munoz one of Palace’s biggest threats from right wing-back, Jadon Sancho could be preferred to Felix after showing plenty of willingness to help out Marc Cucurella at left-back this season.
