Chelsea’s momentum had been checked impressively by Manchester City just before the international break but this fixture should provide an opportunity to rediscover lost rhythm. Even in the absence of Álvaro Morata and N’Golo Kanté, they will travel south across the capital and confident Crystal Palace, pointless and scoreless to date, can be overcome. The hosts must do without Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Benteke, but will at least be bolstered by the return of Wilfried Zaha and possibly Julian Speroni to their ranks. At some point they must revive. It may be too much to ask for the recovery to start against Chelsea. Dominic Fifield
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Selhurst Park
Last season Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1
Referee Andre Marriner
This season G5, Y13, R1, 2.8 cards per game
Odds H 9-1 A 7-17 D 4-1
Crystal Palace
Subs from Hennessey, Henry, Kelly, Ward, Lee, Souare, Delaney, Dann, McArthur, Riedewald, Schlupp, Mutch, Kaikai, Lokilo, Lumeka, Ladapo
Doubtful Dann (hamstring), Hennessey, Mutch, Zaha (all match fitness), Sako (hamstring)
Injured Benteke, Wickham (both knee, Dec)
Suspended None
Unavailable Loftus-Cheek (loan terms)
Form LLLLLL
Discipline Y15 R0
Leading scorer n/a
Chelsea
Subs from Caballero, Eduardo, Rüdiger, Christensen, Zappacosta, Scott, Ampadu, Clarke-Salter, Kenedy, Willian, Musonda
Doubtful None
Injured Morata (hamstring, 18 Oct), Drinkwater (calf, Nov), Kanté (hamstring, Nov)
Suspended None
Form WWWDWL
Discipline Y12 R3
Leading scorer Morata 6