How Chelsea could line up against Crystal Palace

Chelsea will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to 11 matches when they welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues are yet to lose in the top flight under Maurizio Sarri, who is already the first Chelsea boss to remain unbeaten in his 10 league games at the helm.

A 3-2 win over Derby County - managed by record goalscorer Frank Lampard - on Wednesday night took their unbeaten run to 15 games across all competitions, but they still remain two points off the pace in the Premier League going into this weekend.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for the London derby.

Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee) Doubtful: Eden Hazard (back), Olivier Giroud (leg), Ethan Ampadu (knee)

The major piece of team news surrounding Chelsea going into this weekend is the expected return of Eden Hazard from a back injury.

The Belgian has missed his side's last three games with the problem, but should have recovered in time to face Crystal Palace as he looks to increase what is already a league-leading goals haul of seven so far this season.

Olivier Giroud could also be available after being ruled out of the midweek EFL Cup win over Derby with a leg injury, although Alvaro Morata is likely to be preferred up front having scored against Burnley last weekend.

Sarri has something of a quandary with his midfield options too as the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Cesc Fabregas all continue to impress when given the chance, but Ross Barkley is expected to get the nod again for this match.

The England international has scored three and assisted three in his last three Premier League outings, despite only starting two of those games.