Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea: How the Blues Should Line Up in Premier League Clash

Chelsea face Crystal Palace this Saturday in their first Premier League match following the international break. The Blues were beaten 1-0 in the same fixture last season courtesy of a John Terry own goal, and the captain will want to avoid suffering the same fate in what will be his 500th appearance wearing the armband.

Speaking after the 2-0 victory over Arsenal, the captain warned of the danger that comes with being the only unbeaten side in the league, per Dan Levene at GetWestLondon:

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It's nice to have the lead, but when you're at the top everyone wants to shoot you down from top to bottom. That's the good thing about the premier league and why everyone loves it. Teams are out to get us because we are at the top and playing well at the moment.

The international break has come and we need to come back and maintain our form after that as well. It's very important we do that.

"

Thibaut Courtois emerged from the international break with no problems after picking up a knock to the head against Arsenal. Although Petr Cech performed admirably when called upon in that match, Courtois is likely to resume his position between the sticks at Palace.

The back four is also likely to remain the same, with Branislav Ivanovic having only played 41 minutes of Serbia's controversial abandoned match with Albania. Gary Cahill continued his club form for his country as England recorded two clean sheets, while Cesar Azpilicueta should get the nod over the jet-lagged Filipe Luis at left-back.

Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas have made up Jose Mourinho's first-choice central midfield pairing so far this season. However, if Ramires has recovered from injury, he will likely replace Fabregas, as the Spain star may be needed to play in a more advanced role due to concerns over the Blues’ preferred attacking midfielders.

Andre Schurrle left the Germany camp ahead of their match against the Republic of Ireland suffering with flu. Oscar and Willian were both involved in Brazil’s tour of Asia, while Eden Hazard’s bruised toe that kept him out of Belgium’s clash with Andorra will need to be assessed. Mohamed Salah kept up his impressive scoring run at international level as he found the net in Egypt’s 2-0 win over Botswana, and he could be handed his first league start of the season against Palace.

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Jose says Diego Costa is a doubt for the game, as are Ramires, Drogba, Mikel and Schurrle. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 17, 2014"

Mourinho’s main concern ahead of the international break was over the fitness of Diego Costa. The striker scored his first goal for Los Rojos in their 4-0 win over Luxembourg and seemed to have emerged unscathed. However, the manager revealed at his pre-match press conference that Costa is one of the players who is doubtful to start. If he is unavailable, Loic Remy will replace him in the starting XI as Didier Drogba continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Image from the B/R formation builder.

Chelsea seem to have learned their lessons from last season’s performances against smaller teams. Fabregas’ passing vision has afforded them more space than they were used to against teams as well-organised as Palace, and they have been better at defending counter-attacks.

Last season’s defeat at Selhurst Park was the last time Chelsea lost an away match, and Mourinho will be sure that his team are motivated to avoid the same shock this time around as they look to maintain their unbeaten run at the top of the league.

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