Chelsea handed double selection boost ahead of Crystal Palace game as duo who missed Servette game return

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that both Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto, who missed the midweek game against Servette in the Europa Conference League, should return for the match against Crystal Palace today. Gusto has been sensational, starting both league games, but was left out of the squad that travelled to Switzerland for the Conference League match. Pedro Neto, who joined this summer, was also absent from that game.

Speaking ahead of the match, Chelsea boss Maresca confirmed that he expects the duo to be ready for the game at Stamford Bridge today. He said, "I think so, Malo [Gusto] and Pedro [Neto] are probably both going to be OK for Sunday."

There is no clarity on when midfielder Romeo Lavia will return, but expectations are that he will not be risked for the game, with Chelsea likely aiming to have him back after the international break. Club captain Reece James is in a similar situation, having missed the season's first three games due to injury. However, even if fit, James would have missed the league games due to his red card against Brighton last time out.

As for Crystal Palace, they will be without defender Chadi Riad, who will miss the trip to Chelsea after injuring his knee in the Carabao Cup win against Norwich City on Tuesday. Matheus Franca also remains sidelined.

The Eagles reached an agreement to sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah on loan, but today’s game comes too soon for his debut, although he is expected to be at Stamford Bridge for the match.

Chelsea have won one and lost one of their first two games, while Palace are without a point after defeats to Brentford and West Ham in their first two fixtures. Palace could lose their opening three top-flight games for only the second time; in 2017-18, they opened with seven straight defeats, but their first league points of that campaign came in a 2-1 home win against Chelsea.