How Chelsea could line up against Crystal Palace

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel only has one absentee to contend with for his side's trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in Saturday's Premier League battle.

Thiago Silva was given his marching orders after just 29 minutes in their humiliating defeat to West Bromwich Albion last time out, and the centre-back will serve a one-match suspension this weekend.

As a result, Tuchel could elect to name the same back three that started and kept a clean sheet against Porto on Wednesday, but with the German's policy of rotation likely to strike, Kurt Zouma will be hoping to feature from the off at Selhurst Park.

Antonio Rudiger was involved in a training ground fracas with Kepa Arrizabalaga at the weekend, but Tuchel has affirmed that the hatchet has been buried, so the German defender could find himself in the first XI once again.

N'Golo Kante was fit enough to come off the bench against Porto and could displace Jorginho in the engine room here, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso could feature out wide in place of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Mason Mount struck his first Champions League goal for the club in midweek, but he may be rested with the second leg in mind, so Hakim Ziyech is a candidate to feature in the attack alongside the returning Christian Pulisic.

Timo Werner endured one of his fruitless nights in midweek and may only be considered for a place on the bench here, as Tammy Abraham - finally fit after a troublesome ankle problem - and Olivier Giroud battle for the chance to start up top.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Kante, Alonso; Ziyech, Pulisic; Abraham

> Click here to see how Crystal Palace could line up for this clash

Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below: