Chelsea travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon having seen their lead at the top of the Premier League cut by their title rivals' victories in midweek.
Manchester City moved to within three points of the Blues with two games in hand, while red-hot Liverpool are only one point adrift of Jose Mourinho's table toppers, having also played a match fewer.
With Chelsea the first to play out of the trio this weekend, they could re-establish their six-point advantage with success over London rivals Palace, who are winless in their last five outings, at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles remain outside of the drop zone, but only by three points following a poor March and consecutive defeats home, so Tony Pulis is likely to line up with the intent of settling for a point.
Adlene Guedioura may come in to stiffen up the midfield, with Joe Ledley shifted out to the wing to provide Joel Ward, who could continue as a makeshift left-back, with some extra protection.
Palace, who have the division's joint-worst home attack with only 13 goals in 15 games, are short of forward options, with club-record signing Dwight Gayle and top scorer Marouane Chamakh both out.
Despite having a huge Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Mourinho is unlikely to consider resting any key names, although Ramires is banned.
His Brazilian compatriot Willian is back from suspension but may have to settle for a place on the bench after Oscar, Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle all scored in the 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal.
Former Gunner Ashley Cole missed that match and continues to nurse a knee injury, while a hamstring strain will prevent Samuel Eto'o from featuring and therefore Fernando Torres will start up front.
Recent form
Palace: LDLDLW
Chelsea: WWLWWD
Possible starting lineups
Palace: Speroni; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Bolasie, Guedioura, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley; Murray
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard; Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle; Torres
Sports Mole says: 0-1
Joe Fish
