MX23RW : Wednesday, December 27 10:14:16| >> :60:1330:1330:
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Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 19
Dec 27, 2023 at 7.30pm UK
Stamford Bridge
Crystal Palace logo
Chelsea
vs.
Crystal Palace

Chelsea duo Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer ruled out of Crystal Palace match

Chelsea duo Sterling, Palmer ruled out of Crystal Palace match
© Reuters
Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer are out of Chelsea's match with Crystal Palace, with both players earning their fifth yellow cards against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea duo Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have been ruled out of their side's match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with the attackers both collecting their fifth yellow cards in the defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During only the second Premier League match to be played on Christmas Eve, Mauricio Pochettino's men lost 2-1 to Wolves at Molineux, with Mario Lemina opening the scoring for the hosts.

Former Tottenham Hotspur man Matt Doherty doubled Wolves' advantage in stoppage time, before summer arrival Christopher Nkunku scored his first Premier League goal in the dying stages to reduce the arrears.

Despite the Frenchman's maiden goal in English football, the Blues were condemned to their eighth loss of the league term, meaning that they will spend Christmas Day sat in 10th place.

As is expected with the busy festive schedule, Pochettino's men will not have to wait long for the opportunity to put their defeat in the West Midlands right, with Crystal Palace visiting Stamford Bridge on December 27.

Chelsea's Raheem Sterling in action with Sheffield United's Vini Souza on December 16, 2023© Reuters

However, the West Londoners will have to respond to their Christmas Eve disappointment without ex-Manchester City duo Sterling and Palmer against the Eagles.

Palmer picked up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season after kicking the ball away following the awarding of a Wolves free kick.

Sterling's caution was a lot more controversial, with the winger being booked for what referee David Coote judged to be simulation as the Blues searched for an equaliser late on.

With Pochettino's attacking options limited for the clash against Palace, the likes of goalscorer Nkunku and Mykhaylo Mudryk could earn starting berths on Wednesday.

Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku on December 19, 2023© Reuters

Chelsea may be able to welcome back the services of midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentine missing the Molineux defeat due to a hernia.

Summer signing Moises Caicedo was also absent from the West Londoners' matchday squad because of illness, although the Ecuadorian should be fit to face Roy Hodgson's side.

With Reece James out of action due to a hamstring strain, fellow academy graduate Conor Gallagher was Chelsea's Christmas Eve captain, partnering Lesley Ugochukwu in the visitors' engine room.

Sterling and Palmer have netted 11 goals combined so far in the Premier League, meaning that Pochettino will need to find attacking solutions ahead of Wednesday's match with Palace.

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Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino during game with Tottenham Hotspur on November 6, 2023.
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19126139162342
2Arsenal18124236162040
3Aston Villa19123440251539
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs18113437241336
5Manchester CityMan City17104340202034
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd1910182125-431
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham189363130130
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1992837251229
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton187653431327
10Bournemouth187472732-525
11Chelsea186482928122
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves186482330-722
13Fulham1963102634-821
14Brentford175482424019
15Crystal Palace184681826-818
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1945102234-1217
17Everton188282322116
18Luton TownLuton1843112134-1315
19Burnley1932141838-2011
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1923141547-329

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