Crystal Palace v Chelsea: five key battles
Chelsea make the short trip to Crystal Palace in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. Here are five match-ups we think may help swing the result at Selhurst Park.
Cesc Fabregas or Nemanja Matic v Yohan Cabaye
One of the toughest decisions Antonio Conte will have to make is who plays alongside N’Golo Kante in midfield. Cesc Fabregas should be a shoo-in after scoring the only goal at Sunderland – but Conte made it quite clear afterwards he bases his selections on the opposition, and may opt for the more physical Matic, as he did against West Brom recently. Whoever plays will need to find a way to get the better of the classy Cabaye.
N’Golo Kante v Jason Puncheon
Kante will be busy himself against the returning Puncheon, who is expected to return after missing Palace’s defeat by Manchester United on Wednesday through suspension. The former Blackpool and Southampton man was in good form prior to his ban, with three assists to his name, and will be happy to drift around to find space and take Kante with him.
Victor Moses v Joel Ward
While he will have to do some defending against Palace’s in-form winger Wilfried Zaha, Moses will look to give Ward – usually a right-back, but who has been filling in at left-back lately – a hard time. The Nigerian has taken years to become an overnight success, and has thrived in the wing-back role which seems to suit his game. If he avoids injury, he will be a key player in the second half of the campaign.
David Luiz v Christian Benteke
Palace’s £27m summer signing Benteke enjoys playing against Chelsea – he has scored four goals in seven appearances against the Blues while at Aston Villa and Liverpool. He has only shared a pitch with Luiz, however, for 13 minutes. When they resume hostilities, expect a physical battle.
Diego Costa v Scott Dann
At the other end of the pitch, Costa – enjoying arguably the best spell of his Chelsea career – will hope to add to his 12 goals this season. He scored one and made one in the Blues’ 3-0 win at Selhurst Park last season when he gave Dann, a rumoured Chelsea transfer target at one time, a real examination. Costa is not be the only player Palace need to keep quiet, but Dann’s performance may go some way to shutting down the visitors.
