First game of the new year away to Palace. They're in fifth now and in decent form, but coming off the back of two goalless matches. Really feel we can take advantage here - I imagine there'll be some changes from the United game.

Edited December 29, 201510 yr by Teritus

Courtois

Dave- Cahill - JT - Baba

Mikel - Matic

Pedro - Willian - Hazard

Costa

That's what I would like to see as the starting XI

Think with the pace Palace have on the wings it would be a good game for Baba to play.

Cabaye suspended. Bolasie, Sako, Gayle, and Wickham may also be absent through injury?

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/29/patrick-bamford-crystal-palace-terrible-loan-chelsea-norwich-bournemouth

I expect the same team as at United with  exception of Costa coming back in

 

I don't expect sweet FA else tbh

 

Come On Chelsea !!

Can't see us making many changes; with the past two team selections, and a lack of willingness to substitute yesterday, I think Guus is trying to motivate a team that knows each other, and get us over the finishing line...just not sure what his target is: avoid relegation; Europa Cup spots. Top half?

 

I'd really like to see us use Traore and Kennedy and RLC a bit more.  Even just one of them starting and one being used as a sub later would be fine in this game.

Can't see us making many changes; with the past two team selections, and a lack of willingness to substitute yesterday, I think Guus is trying to motivate a team that knows each other, and get us over the finishing line...just not sure what his target is: avoid relegation; Europa Cup spots. Top half?

 

I'd really like to see us use Traore and Kennedy and RLC a bit more.  Even just one of them starting and one being used as a sub later would be fine in this game.

His initial brief has to be to get another 20 pts and avoid the unthinkable. Get those early and we can look to new goals including bedding in young players for the future.

Costa is back, I really hope he will continue his scoring form. 

 

I'd like to see us starting like this:

 

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=9m5p

3-1 to Crystal Palace but another 0-0 wouldn't surprise me, a win for us would definitely surprise me.

This won't be the team, but it's mine.

Courtois

 

Baba

Terry

Cahill

Azpilicueta

 

Mikel

 

Loftus-Cheek

Ramires

 

Pedro

Costa

Willian

If Matic starts again what is the point of having extra players? Id sooner see Cesc next to Mikel

Will probably be seeing Mikel alongside Matic and a return for Fabregas, but this is what I'd love to see.

Mikel alongside Matic might not be all bad, though. Would probably mean both fullback bombing forward.

Liking the Pedro Costa Willian spearhead guys.

Cabaye suspended. Bolasie, Sako, Gayle, and Wickham may also be absent through injury?

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/29/patrick-bamford-crystal-palace-terrible-loan-chelsea-norwich-bournemouth

 

Yep, they do seem to have some key players missing & never a better time to play them so I expect us to set up for a 0-0!!

 

Let's hope we go for it in this one and take all 3 points which we should be more than capable of. COME ON THE CHELS!!!

Edited December 29, 201510 yr by Nibs

I think we will win this 2 nil. Not bothered who starts as long as get a result.

2-0 to Palace or a dire 0-0 ... I think this will be the game where the penny finally drops with Guus that copying Jose's team selections simply doesn't work ...

Yeah this is a hard game, can see palace nicking it.

Hope to be wrong on this one.

See what ways matic and oscar can screw it up this time.. .

3 goals in this. 1-2, 0-3 to us. Nope, had only a pint all day.

Yep, they do seem to have some key players missing & never a better time to play them so I expect us to set up for a 0-0!!

Let's hope we go for it in this one and take all 3 points which we should be more than capable of. COME ON THE CHELS!!!

Early season we only faced teams in a situation where they were somehow more dangerous than normal. Now two games in a row we face a team in a perfect time. First ManU and now Palace. Can't blame the schedule but it has been very unfortunate for us.

Will probably be seeing Mikel alongside Matic and a return for Fabregas, but this is what I'd love to see.

LINEUP111451416844341.png

Mikel alongside Matic might not be all bad, though. Would probably mean both fullback bombing forward.

 

Same, can't see it ever happening though. We are surely at the point where it is worth a try at least.

Edited December 30, 201510 yr by Scott Harris

I will be amazed if we win this. This is likely to be where Roman realises it wasn't José's fault.

Guus Hiddink Pre-match Presser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IddyxeOh-JI

got a feeling we are gonna kick their arses

I think this is the time of the year where teams with limited depth are slowing down, although we have been poor in the last two games, we have to take advantage of the situation. Baba needs to play, we need pace in fullbacks to handle their wing play, which will be their main weapon against us. Costa had a nice break, should be continuing his form revival. Hopefully Matic will take that awful mask off soon, he's costing us 2 games in a row now. Like we said 18 times already this season, this is a must win.

3-1 Chelsea! 

 

Terry, Costa, Willian