While the Eagles will hope they can bounce back from their 2-1 controversial loss against Everton last week, while playing the blues. Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has been criticized for his man management of is players, as there were reports that he had a brushed down with Marcus Alonso, after he to move the left back that was found culprit in the two goals concede in there 3-3 draw against Westbrom last week.
And there 5-4 penalty loss against Tottenham does not even help the matter, a game that they dominate for the majority part of the game, but they found themselves at losing part, after they concede late equalizer goal at the tight end of the match, before they lost in the shootout to Tottenham.
Frank Lampard must know that a game against the Eagles must be a sure win for him, or else the Blues faithful will start calling for his head. And thank God, some of his new players are back from the injury. With the likes of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech have declared themselves fit for the match against Crystal Palace.
Here is the potential lineup that can get Frank Lampard a victory against the Eagles on Saturday
Crystal Palace have enjoyed a strong start to the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, picking up six points from three games so far.
Victory at home to Southampton on the opening day was followed up with a fantastic 3-1 win at Old Trafford, and despite the disappointment of defeat against Everton last weekend, the signs look positive ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
Palace have struggled against Frank Lampard’s side in recent years, with no Premier League win against them since 2017.
However, Chelsea have shown signs of inconsistency in recent weeks, losing at home to defending champions Liverpool, and needing a last-gasp Tammy Abraham equaliser to secure a 3-3 draw at West Bromwich Albion last weekend.
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The major concern for Lampard comes in defensive area and Palace will be aiming to exploit that.
Expose Chelsea’s full backs
Injuries have forced Roy Hodgson’s hand so far this season, with nine of his starting XI playing all three Premier League games.
One of his changes against Everton was to bring in Eberechi Eze to replace Jeff Schlupp on the left wing due to yet another injury problem.
Eze found it difficult to make runs in behind Seamus Coleman, and the return of a more orthodox winger like Schlupp would cause Chelsea headaches should he recover from the “slight strain” that kept him out at Selhurst Park
Should Schlupp return, his battle with Reece James will be a key contest, with James’ strengths lying as an attacking full-back, and he was caught out of position for Callum Robinson’s first goal last weekend.
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On the opposite flank, Andros Townsend has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, with a goal and two assists, and he would be confident of getting the better of an out-of-form Marcos Alonso.
The Spain international was hauled off at half-time against West Brom, but it looks likely that Lampard will field Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back in place of the Spaniard, with £50million new signing Ben Chilwell still regaining his match fitness following a heel injury.
Isolate Thiago Silva against Wilf Zaha
Wilfried Zaha in action for Crystal Palace against Manchester United (Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Silva suffered a nightmare on his Blues debut against West Brom, with his mistake gifting Robinson the second goal at The Hawthorns.
He improved after that, and Lampard is hoping the veteran centre back’s experience will provide a crucial boost this season. However, his lack of mobility and pace on the turn make him an ideal target for Zaha to target with his trickery and direct running.
Zaha’s second goal against United, where he exposed a weak challenge from Victor Lindelof, shows that he’s bang in form. The Palace talisman will cause defensive errors if he can get one-on-one against Chelsea defenders.
Drop Jordan Ayew into a deeper role to smother Chelsea playmakers
Ayew’s selfless running and off-the-ball work has allowed Zaha and Townsend to flourish so far this season, and his role will be vital against Chelsea.
Hodgson has stuck with his system of a front two in the opening weeks of the campaign, with Ayew alongside Zaha.
Ayew’s willingness to move into wide areas to close down full-backs has created turnovers of possession, but his brief could be adapted at Stamford Bridge.
With the axis of James McArthur and James McCarthy operating as a deeper shield to protect the Palace back four, Chelsea may struggle to break the lines between midfield and defence.
But to prevent Chelsea from building up pressure inside the Palace half, via Jorginho or Mateo Kovacic, Ayew may need to play in an inverted role and disrupt their flow.
McArthur and McCarthy have proved effective at screening in front of Mamadou Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate, and they will be aiming to block Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Timo Werner, but Ayew’s work higher up the pitch can force Chelsea back and create chances for Zaha.