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Crystal Palace’s list of absentees has grown with Yohan Cabaye missing through suspension and Patrick Bamford’s loan spell ending.
Attacking quartet Yannick Bolasie, Connor Wickham, Bakary Sako and Dwight Gayle all remain injured.
Chelsea have striker Diego Costa back from suspension.
Gary Cahill is expected to shake off a minor ankle injury but Loic Remy is doubtful and Radamel Falcao again misses out.
Editor’s Note: Last time these two teams met back in August Palace recorded a shock win at Stamford Bridge which started the Jose Mourinho employment circus. Chelsea would like to exact some revenge while Palace would love to exact some more misery on their cross city rivals.
Alan Pardew is missing key men today especially Yohan Cabaye who has been probably their best player this season and they will no doubt miss his creativity in Midfield.
As for Chelsea it’s one in three since Guus Hiddink took over, although they are unbeaten since his second spell started it’s not quite the results they would have wanted.
They looked very blunt on Monday at Manchester United but they will hoping that issue will be rectified with the return of Diego Costa who missed the game through suspension.
With Palace missing key men in Midfield and the wide areas I can see Chelsea capitalising on this and atoning for August’s defeat. An away win for me.
Good prediction; Chelsea deserved a win today.
With the amount of players missing today for Palace. It was Chelsea’s to lose. I think today showed up the lack of strength for Alan Pardew has when key men ruled out.