Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Predicted line-ups

Chelsea make the short trip to South London this weekend, fresh from their FIFA Club World Cup victory in Abu Dhabi.

The visitors will be aiming to solidify their place within the Premier League top four, before hosting LOSC Lille midweek as they aim to retain their Champions League crown.

Crystal Palace will be hoping to capitalise on their rival's fixture congestion, but face a tough test in their aim to further quell any looming relegation concerns.

Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira confirmed no new injury news in Friday’s press conference, with Nathan Ferguson remaining the only long term absentee with a hamstring injury.

The Eagles are likely to name an unchanged back four, with Joachim Andersen impressing at the Brentford Community Stadium and Marc Guehi expected to face his former employers.

Conor Gallagher is ineligible to face his parent club, meaning James McArthur could be handed a first start since returning from injury, potentially alongside Cheikhou Kouyaté, who is fresh from his African Cup of Nations victory with Senegal.

Vieira does have the option of bringing Ebere Eze back into the fold, however, is likely to opt for one of the more conservative options of Will Hughes or Jeffrey Schlupp.

Odsonne Edouard struggled to make an impact last time out away at Brentford, while Jordan Ayew continued a poor spell of bad luck in front of the goal. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise will both be pushing for a return to the starting XI.

Photo by Justin Setterfield - Getty Images

Chelsea

As for the visitors, Mason Mount is the only casualty of their successful Club World Cup campaign, suffering injured ankle ligaments in the final against Palmeiras. Thomas Tuchel confirmed Chelsea’s key man is targeting a return for the Carabao Cup Final.

In better news, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is fit to face the side he spent a season on loan at after recovering from an Achilles injury. The trip to Selhurst Park comes too early for Reece James, who remains sidelined alongside Ben Chilwell, who is out for the season.

Edouard Mendy should return in goal after a key role in Senegal's AFCON victory, despite recent impressive performances from second choice Kepa Arrizabalaga.

With one eye potentially on Tuesday's clash with Lille, Tuchel may opt to take full advantage of his full squad and offer starts to Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic. The American boasts an impressive scoring record against Palace, including three goals in two games at Selhurst Park.