The five individual contests that will decide the course of today’s game at Selhurst Park.
Today Chelsea return to Selhurst Park, the ground where their title hopes collapsed last year. Jose Mourinho will be hoping that the memories of last season, where Chelsea somehow lost 1-0, won’t haunt his team as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League. If they are to win, their players will have to beat their opposite numbers, which they failed to do last time around, and these five individual battles will be the key to the game.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool Chiellini – Reds came close to signing defender.
Costa Injury – Chelsea XI without the striker.
AUS v NZ Bledisoe Cup Stream – Preview and stream for Wallabies v All Blacks.
5) James McArthur v Cesc Fabregas
The two will be vying for control of the ball in the middle, and whichever exerts their influence best will give their team the best chance of scoring. Palace know that if Fabregas is given time on the ball he will create chances.
4) Martin Kelly v Eden Hazard
In Eden Hazard, Martin Kelly faces his biggest test since his move from Liverpool. The full back has had a good start to his career at Palace, but could be given a torrid time today by the Belgian trickster. Kelly is tall for a full-back at 6ft3, and he will struggle against the much shorter Hazard, whose low centre of gravity allows his to turn and change direction suddenly.
3) Jason Puncheon v Cesar Azpilicueta
Jason Puncheon has been excellent since his move to Palace, and if the Eagles are to create any chances, they will need him to get the better of Cesar Azpilicueta and attack Terry with his pace. This is no easy task however – Azpilicueta is one of the best individual defenders in Europe.
2) Mile Jedinak v Nemanja Matic
The two destroyers will both be charged with breaking up the attacks of the other side. Assuming Palace will sit deep and try to break, Matic must not get drawn too far forward and leave space behind him for the pacey Campbell, Bolasie and Puncheon can run into. Equally, tough-tackling Australian Jedinak will have his work cut out pressuring Matic and preventing him distributing the ball to Chelsea’s dangerous front line.
1) Damien Delaney v Loic Remy
Loic Remy will finally get his chance to start for the Blues, and will be desperate to take his chance to show what he can do in Costa’s absence. Without their star striker, Chelsea could easily start missing chances and get frustrated, much as they did last season. Key to this will be experienced centre-half Delaney’s battle with Remy. If he can contain the Frenchman for long enough that Chelsea start over-extending themselves, Palace will get their chances on the break.