Pulisic And Hudson Odoi To Start, Havertz Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Crystal Palace

Pulisic And Hudson Odoi To Start, Havertz Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Crystal Palace

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to make a number of changes for the game against Crystal Palace, with the Blues having to play the second leg of their Champions League tie against Porto on Tuesday.

He won’t be changing his goalkeeper, though, with Edouard Mendy putting in an excellent display during the week. The backline of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger will also likely stay intact, especially with Thiago Silva suspended.

Tuchel has the luxury of freshening things up at wingback if he so wishes, and he may feel the attack-minded Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso will be better suited to breaking down Palace’s low block.

In midfield, N’Golo Kante could well make his return, after starting the Porto match on the bench. The Frenchman may come in for Jorginho, with Mateo Kovacic keeping his place.

The makeup of the front three is a hard one to call. Mason Mount’s superb form means Tuchel will be reluctant to take him out of the team, and the England international could be joined up front by Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic.

Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Crystal Palace:

Mendy, Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Alonso, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Werner, Pulisic