Chelsea team news: Early selection hint as three players out of squad for Crystal Palace

Chelsea continue their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace this evening, knowing three points are vital in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. The Blues are currently fourth in the table, a point behind Leicester but just two clear of in-form Manchester United.

Michy Batshuayi and Faustino Anjorin are expected to drop out and watch from the stands, while it remains to be seen whether Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham gets the nod up front.

Willian and Christian Pulisic have both been in excellent form since the restart and are likely to retain their starting berths out wide, having been involved in a total of nine goals during the past four league outings.

That means Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi will have to be content with a place on the bench once more.

With Kante and Kovacic unavailable, Jorginho is most likely to come into central midfield although Gilmour is another option, having replaced Kante against Watford.

Loftus-Cheek will hope to feature at some point against Crystal Palace but Barkley and Mount are favourites to start once more.

Marcos Alonso has fallen out of favour after a poor display against West Ham so Cesar Azpilicueta could continue at left-back with Reece James on the right side of defence.

Antonio Rudiger was dropped for Kurt Zouma against Watford and it remains to be seen whether the German international is recalled into central defence alongside Andreas Christensen.

Finally, Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue between the posts as the Spaniard plays for his future at Stamford Bridge, leaving Willy Caballero and Emerson Palmieri to take up the final spots on the bench.

Full Chelsea squad vs Crystal Palace – Premier League

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero; Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri; Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount; Willian, Pedro, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Tammy Abraham, Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi and Faustino Anjorin.

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source: express.co.uk