Chelsea v Crystal Palace - Preview and possible lineups

Matt Morley 6 years ago 8.5k |

Reading time: minutes

Sarri will have some selection headaches going into the game. AFP

We take a look ahead to Sunday's Premier League clash between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

TEAM NEWS:

Chelsea: Eden Hazard will be fit to play some part after returning to training from a back injury, but he may be made to make do with a place on the bench. Midfielder Ross Barkley is expected to make his return, having been rested for the Carabao Cup win over Derby in midweek.

Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha should start after sitting out Palace's Cup defeat to Middlesbrough in midweek with a shoulder problem. However, Connor Wickham will play no part due to a thigh problem, thus joining Christian Benteke, Scott Dann and Joel Ward on the sidelines.

WHO IS SAYING WHAT?

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri on the fitness of Eden Hazard:

"Yesterday [Thursday] Eden had a large part of training with the team. Maybe he will not be ready to play for 90 minutes at the moment because it was his first training in the last two weeks.

"But probably he will be able to play for 40, 45 minutes. So for us it's important."

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson:

"We can't disguise the enormity of the task.

"We can't make out it will be easier than it is going to be, but we have played well against Liverpool and Arsenal. Our belief and confidence is based on that.

"I don't prepare for teams to underestimate us, because I think we have done enough not to be underestimated. I don't think anyone will see it as a foregone conclusion."

Form: