Chelsea team news: Expected 3-4-2-1 vs Crystal Palace as Thomas Tuchel makes five changes

Crystal Palace v Chelsea: Tuchel previews derby

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Chelsea can at least temporarily reclaim fourth spot in the Premier League with victory over Crystal Palace today and up the heat on West Ham, Tottenham and Liverpool in the Champions League qualification battle in the process. The Blues return to domestic action after a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Porto on Wednesday. Express Sport looks at how Chelsea could line up at Selhurst Park this evening.

Goalkeeper – Mendy

Edouard Mendy has long cemented himself as Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper, with Kepa Arrizabalaga surely headed for the exit door.

The Spaniard, Chelsea’s record signing, has made just one Premier League appearance since October 17.

Mendy meanwhile has kept 14 clean sheets in 25 league matches, though had an afternoon to forget in last weekend’s 5-2 loss to West Brom.

The Senegalese kept a shut-out in Europe against Porto in midweek however and will hope for more of the same today.

Defence – Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger

Thiago Silva is banned for this one after being sent off for two yellow cards against the Baggies.

And while Kurt Zouma has been a valuable stand-in on occasion, Tuchel may stick with the same back three that kept a clean sheet against Porto.

That would see Cesar Azpilicueta on the right and Andreas Christensen on the left with Antonio Rudiger in between the pair.

Silva could then return to the starting eleven in midweek for the return to Seville for the second leg of their quarter-final tie.

Midfield – Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso

Reece James has started both of Chelsea’s last two matches and could be afforded a breather, at least from the start, here.

Callum Hudson-Odoi could displace the full-back on the right-hand side of midfield having not started since the win over Everton a month ago and having been an unused substitute in the past two games.

N’Golo Kante came off the bench in Europe and should therefore be restored to the starting line-up, most likely in favour of Jorginho, with Mateo Kovacic partnering him.

Ben Chilwell should also be spared here after scoring against Porto with Marcos Alonso the man to come into the team to offer width down the left.

Attack – Ziyech, Mount, Giroud

Timo Werner has scored just twice in his past 33 appearances for club and country since November and could drop to the bench again here.

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Mason Mount should start after scoring in both of Chelsea’s last two matches, despite starting on the bench against West Brom.

With Tuchel having been strong in his criticism of Tammy Abraham pre-match, Olivier Giroud is the likeliest to lead the line, with Kai Havertz also having disappointed in Spain last time out.

Tuchel has spoken out about managing Christian Pulisic’s minutes and that could mean he’s again an option in reserve rather than a starter, with Hakim Ziyech making the line-up over him.

The German coach then has Pulisic, Werner and Havertz among his options on the bench if he needs to change his tactics mid-match.

Predicted Chelsea XI vs Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen; Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Mount, Giroud

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