Crystal Palace return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they take on a struggling Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge.
Patrick Vieira’s side have endured a difficult spell of form since the World Cup, suffering home defeats against Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and most recently Southampton in the FA Cup.
However, Sunday’s game could represent a chance to rediscover their best form as they face a Chelsea side who are extremely low on confidence, with new manager Graham Potter failing to replicate his success with Brighton at the west London club.
Here is how Football FanCast expects the Eagles to line up this afternoon, with four changes from the team that started against Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.
After he was arguably at fault for both of Southampton’s goals last weekend, Vicente Guaita is dropped from the starting side, with Sam Johnstone handed a rare opportunity to start after struggling for regular game time since his summer switch from West Bromwich Albion.
There is one change in defence, as Tyrick Mitchell returns at left-back in place of Joel Ward, with Nathaniel Clyne switching back to his more natural right-back position, while Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen continue their partnership in the middle.
After failing to make much of an impression in the middle of the park, Will Hughes is dropped with Jeffrey Schlupp joining Cheick Doucoure and Michael Olise in midfield at Stamford Bridge, as Vieira may need a more dynamic option to help support Doucoure defensively.
£30k-per-week “magician” Eberechi Eze – as once dubbed by Micah Richards – was surprisingly left out against the Saints and considering the Eagles may be relying on a piece of individual magic against Chelsea this weekend, he looks to be the ideal man to replace Jordan Ayew in the attack.
He is joined by Wilfried Zaha and Odsonne Edouard, both of whom could be crucial to Palace’s chances of picking up a vital three points on their short trip to Chelsea this afternoon.
Predicted Eagles XI (4-3-3): Johnstone, Clyne, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell, Doucoure, Schlupp, Olise, Eze, Zaha, Edouard
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