Graham Potter faces a must-win Premier League London derby at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Chelsea are anticipated to current new signing Mykhaylo Mudryk to followers forward of as we speak’s recreation in opposition to Crystal Palace after beating Arsenal to a sensational £89million switch on Saturday, with heartfelt tributes additionally set to be paid to Gianluca Vialli of their first house match for the reason that Blues legend’s unhappy passing from most cancers earlier this month.
Potter is already battling to avoid wasting his job after a 2-1 defeat at rivals Fulham on Thursday by which Joao Felix was despatched off on his debut made it only one win in 9 matches amid their worst top-flight run since 1996, with Chelsea sitting tenth and totally 10 factors adrift of the highest 4. Crystal Palace might be superb opponents as we speak although, with the Eagles having misplaced three of their final 4 league video games underneath Patrick Vieira.
The Blues have received the entire final 11 conferences between these capital rivals and can be determined for an additional triumph as we speak with Mudryk watching on from the stands. Observe Chelsea vs Crystal Palace dwell beneath, with knowledgeable evaluation from Nizaar Kinsella on the floor.
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Extra pictures from the touching Gianluca Vialli tributes outdoors the bottom at Stamford Bridge:
Gianluca Vialli tributes
Loads of tributes already paid to Vialli outdoors Stamford Bridge as we speak, together with from members of the Chelsea Supporters’ Belief (CST).
Chelsea to pay tribute to Gianluca Vialli
Right this moment can be an emotional day at Stamford Bridge.
That is Chelsea’s first house match for the reason that unhappy passing of legendary former participant and supervisor Gianluca Vialli aged simply 58 in a London hospital on January 6 following a protracted battle with pancreatic most cancers.
Followers paid tribute to the Italian icon earlier than final week’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester Metropolis and once more earlier than the derby in opposition to Fulham, however there may be way more deliberate for as we speak on house soil.
Chelsea have requested followers to be of their seats early, with the present Blues and Palace squads to be joined on the pitch by gamers who beforehand lined up alongside or who have been coached by Vialli for a minute’s applause earlier than kick-off.
Chelsea’s gamers wore particular warm-up t-shirts on the Etihad Stadium final week and as we speak will don black armbands.
There’s additionally a particular version of the matchday programme remembering Vialli, whereas a ebook of condolence is offered for followers to signal within the museum constructing behind the Matthew Harding Stand.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace prediction
It’s arduous to see the place a win is coming from for Chelsea proper now. Frail on the again and toothless in assault, Palace’s power might be an excessive amount of for them.
Palace to win, 2-1.
Crystal Palace group information
Whereas Chelsea have already misplaced Joao Felix to a ban, opponents Crystal Palace get a key participant again from suspension this afternoon with Tyrick Mitchell accessible once more.
The left-back was despatched off together with James Tomkins through the wretched 3-0 house defeat by Fulham on Boxing Day, lacking the next Premier League conferences with Bournemouth and Tottenham and the FA Cup loss in opposition to Southampton.
Patrick Vieira stays with out each James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson as a consequence of damage as we speak, nonetheless.
Chelsea group information
Joao Felix begins a pricey three-match ban for Chelsea as we speak after his straight purple card at Fulham for a horrible problem on Kenny Tete that marred an in any other case promising debut.
Graham Potter’s damage disaster exhibits no indicators of abating, together with his absentee listing nonetheless in double figures after Denis Zakaria limped off at Craven Cottage with a quad concern.
He joins the likes of Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja and Christian Pulisic on the sidelines.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek might be concerned as we speak after returning to coaching at Cobham this week, with Ben Chilwell subsequent in line for a comeback.
Easy methods to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
TV channel and dwell stream: Right this moment’s recreation is not going to be broadcast dwell on TV within the UK. Highlights can be found on Match of the Day 2 tonight from 10:30pm on BBC One.
Welcome to Chelsea vs Crystal Palace LIVE protection!
Whats up and welcome to Customary Sport’s LIVE protection of Chelsea vs Crystal Palace within the Premier League.
Right this moment’s London derby is unquestionably a must-win affair for Blues boss Graham Potter, who’s already battling to avoid wasting his job amid the membership’s worst run of Premier League kind since 1996, with Thursday’s loss at Fulham by which Joao Felix was despatched off on his debut making it only one win in 9 matches both facet of the World Cup break to go away them tenth and 10 factors adrift of the highest 4.
Nevertheless, a key increase arrived on Saturday with Chelsea sensationally beating Arsenal to a blockbuster £89million deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Palace might do with a good end result right here as effectively, having misplaced three of their final 4 and never overwhelmed a top-half group but this season.
The Eagles have misplaced all of their final 11 conferences with Chelsea, however they are going to by no means have a greater likelihood to finish that run.
Kick-off is at 2pm GMT, so keep tuned for build-up, group information and dwell updates, with knowledgeable evaluation from Customary Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge.
