Closed Chelsea v Crystal Palace

[Duppy Conqueror 1,494]

it is odd that Palace have such a better away record than at home where the stadium is bouncing every home game. pound for pound some of the best fans of their team in world football.

[thekid9 418]

There is absolutely no way Jose will drop Cesc, I really hope that is not that case for brana, I have stuck by him plenty of times, but enough is enough

13. Tibo

4. Cesc Fabregas

5. Kurt Zouma

6. Baba Rahman

10. Eden Hazard

17. Pedro

19. Diego Costa

21. Nemanja Matic

22. Willian

24. Gary Cahill

28. Cesar Azpilicueta

Subs

1.Asmir Begovic

2.Branislav Ivanovic

7. Ramires

9. Falcao

12. John Mikel Obi

36. Ruben loftus Cheek

00.Kennedy

[Kieran. 6,317]

it is odd that Palace have such a better away record than at home where the stadium is bouncing every home game. pound for pound some of the best fans of their team in world football.

Agreed mate but it probably has to do with their tactics. They're really an excellent counter attacking team with their speed, which is a tactic suited better away from home.

[ParNolio7 285]

Somehow the presence of Pedro has made me feel a lot more confident about our season. We do really need a new CM though, to complete the Cesc-Matic triangle. Someone strong with good feet ... couldn't we just lure Yaya away from City?? Maybe if we promise to give him really big birthday cakes?? Until then :

-----------Courtois-----------

Baba- Zouma - JT - Azpi

-------------Matic-------------

--------Willian - Cesc-------

-Pedro - Costa - Hazard-

BBC Football Predictor I put 3-0!

[Whiskey 173]

How about something like:

Tibo

Iva - Zouma - Cahill - Azpi

Ramires - Matic

Oscar

Pedro - Costa - Hazard

[didierforever 7,349]

How about something like:

Tibo

azpi - Zouma - Cahill - baba

Ramires - Matic

Oscar

Pedro - Costa - Hazard

corrected.

[Whiskey 173]

corrected.

Yeah, too much wishful thinking there tho.

Iva is proven to be untouchable and I seriousley doubt Baba will start.

[lluubbeenn 142]

Somehow the presence of Pedro has made me feel a lot more confident about our season. We do really need a new CM though, to complete the Cesc-Matic triangle. Someone strong with good feet ... couldn't we just lure Yaya away from City?? Maybe if we promise to give him really big birthday cakes?? Until then :

-----------Courtois-----------

Baba- Zouma - JT - Azpi

-------------Matic-------------

--------Willian - Cesc-------

-Pedro - Costa - Hazard-

BBC Football Predictor I put 3-0!

No JT on Saturday mate (red card)

[Last Sicarius 610]

Someone know what time will be pre-match conference?

[bluephoenix 1,126]

suddenly every game seems to be a tough one for us

Really hoping for Falcao to be one score sheet.

Would love to see Pedro , Hazard, and Costa on score sheet .

[ParNolio7 285]

Can't see JM drop Brana. It's still early days. Bet he's counting on him to pick up form together with the rest of the team. I just hope the momentum swings our way now with Pedro a massive improvement in the attacking area.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Can't see JM drop Brana. It's still early days. Bet he's counting on him to pick up form together with the rest of the team. I just hope the momentum swings our way now with Pedro a massive improvement in the attacking area.

In all fairness, especially with JT out suspended, as we only have six defenders, unless you constitute "dropped" as being on the bench, he will be in the squad for Saturday without question. José is either blind or has too much faith in/loyalty towards Branna. Ivan has been a terrific servant for us but I genuinely fear for him. His defensive abilities have been on an obvious decline since the Benitez era.

[Jase 43,479]

Baba Rahman has to be on the bench at the very least. We are already going to play with our 3 available CBs and should one get injured or sent off (touch wood), then there's going to be a reshuffle in defence and we would need Rahman.

[quickpassnmove 924]

Matic versus MacArthur, Cabaye, Mutch/Jedinak. Our AMs will be defending more than attacking, I suppose.

Ready for a disappointing match?

[ParNolio7 285]

Nah, it's going to be a good attacking game. Hazard & Pedro are gonna be magic.

[Magic Lamps 11,655]

Matic versus MacArthur, Cabaye, Mutch/Jedinak. Our AMs will be defending more than attacking, I suppose.

Ready for a disappointing match?

well mutch and jedinak are not exactly the players who haunt my dreams with their attacking prowess. But I agree, their 3 players in the middle could overrun us if we allow them to.

After reading Alex's brilliant article about mikel, I could imagine something like this:

-----------Tibo------------

Azpi--Cahill-Zoum--Baba

----------Mikel-------------

---Willian------Matic------

Pedro--Costa--Hazard

If Oscar is fit, he should replace willi

This system is a bit experimental, esp as this backline has never been there before. But IMO it could work out well with all defenders being quick enough to play a high line while Mikel and Matic offer the necessary protection. The extra man in midfield will make the space for them even tighter and as all 3 players are decent tacklers we should have a great ball retention. Willian can carry the ball forward, that's what he is best at and the magic of Pedro/Hazard combined with the finishing touches of Diego should do the rest.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Fabregas won't be dropped.

[The Chels 2,502]

Ivanovic is going to get destroyed. Pedro is going to have to defend for him, essentially playing RB, and he will then hand in a transfer request after the game.