Crystal Palace v Chelsea: match preview

Chelsea’s momentum had been checked impressively by Manchester City just before the international break but this fixture should provide an opportunity to rediscover lost rhythm. Even in the absence of Álvaro Morata and N’Golo Kanté, they will travel south across the capital and confident Crystal Palace, pointless and scoreless to date, can be overcome. The hosts must do without Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Benteke, but will at least be bolstered by the return of Wilfried Zaha and possibly Julian Speroni to their ranks. At some point they must revive. It may be too much to ask for the recovery to c against Chelsea. Dominic Fifield

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Selhurst Park

Last season Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1

Referee Andre Marriner

This season G5, Y13, R1, 2.8 cards per game

Odds H 9-1 A 7-17 D 4-1

Crystal Palace

Subs from Hennessey, Henry, Kelly, Ward, Lee, Souare, Delaney, Dann, McArthur, Riedewald, Schlupp, Mutch, Kaikai, Lokilo, Lumeka, Ladapo

Doubtful Dann (hamstring), Hennessey, Mutch, Zaha (all match fitness), Sako (hamstring)

Injured Benteke, Wickham (both knee, Dec)

Suspended None

Unavailable Loftus-Cheek (loan terms)

Form LLLLLL

Discipline Y15 R0

Leading scorer n/a

Chelsea

Subs from Caballero, Eduardo, Rüdiger, Christensen, Zappacosta, Scott, Ampadu, Clarke-Salter, Kenedy, Willian, Musonda

Doubtful None

Injured Morata (hamstring, 18 Oct), Drinkwater (calf, Nov), Kanté (hamstring, Nov)

Suspended None

Form WWWDWL

Discipline Y12 R3

Leading scorer Morata 6.