This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their Premier League clash with Crytal Palace on December 27. The Blues are aiming to rebound from a 2-1 defeat on Christmas Eve against Wolves.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Crystal Palace in Premier League Action
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How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Robert Sanchez was the primary option in goals but his injury means he has lost that spot to Djordje Petrović. The back line has been limited in options with Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, and Malo Gusto starting in the absence of some regulars.
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The defensive midfield pivot has been shaken up due to a combo of injuries and illness with Moises Caicedo, Lesley Ugochukwu, Enzo Fernandez, and Conor Gallagher all starting in a midfield pairing. Attacking options have primarily been Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, or Mykhailo Mudryk as a front four.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
Mauricio Pochettino has stuck with a base shape of 4-2-3-1 despite the inconsistency of the results. Defeats to Manchester United and Everton were briefly offset by results against Sheffield United, and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. Things crashed back down to earth with the loss to Wolves.
The failure to string together a positive run of results will no doubt weigh on Pochettino’s mind. His side have not won back-to-back league matches since October, and they have completely failed to get a three-match winning run in the competition.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
As posted by CFC Central, the team will be without as many as 12 different players with Caicedo doubtful due to illness. Sterling and Palmer will definitely miss out due to suspensions from yellow card accumulation. Fernandez and Ugochukwu were ruled out by the manager in his pre-match conference.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, and Sanchez are all sidelined with injuries for the foreseeable future.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
With fixture congestion possibly playing on the manager’s mind along with his long list of absentees we could see a tactical switch to a 4-1-4-1 that would also see Silva rested as he’s started three consecutive matches. Romeo Lavia was an unused substitute against Wolves so could play a part in this contest, but will likely be off the bench.
GK – Djordje Petrović
LB – Levi Colwill
CB – Benoit Badiashile
CB – Axel Disasi
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Conor Gallagher
AM – Noni Madueke
AM – Mykhailo Mudryk
AM – Nicolas Jackson
AM – Ian Maatsen
ST – Armando Broja
