It is another London derby for the Blues this month as Chelsea make the short trip to Crystal Palace this Saturday.
On paper, this fixture is a heavy mismatch as Chelsea look very formidable and are expected to continue their run in the title challenge by seeing off the Eagles.
But in football, stranger things have happened and Chelsea wouldn’t want to take this game lightly especially after the recent away loss to Aston Villa that has somewhat hampered Chelsea’s recent form.
The home side, Crystal Palace have a key player in their striker Maraoune Chamakh side-lined with a hamstring problem whereas their summer signing Dwight Gayle has also suffered an ankle injury in training.
Chelsea left back Ashley Cole is still recovering from his knee injury and Samuel Eto’o is unlikely to start as he picked up a hamstring injury while playing against Arsenal.
Crystal Palace remain in a dangerous position in the table, just above the relegation zone with three points more than Sunderland while having played a game more than them. Crystal Palace haven’t won in their last five matches and their last minute loss to Newcastle summed up their recent form. So the Eagles registering a win against Chelsea would be one of the biggest shock results this season, even if they are playing at home.
The Stamford Bridge side have decent form on their side. With the loss against Aston Villa well behind them after their recent victory against Galatasaray and a 6-0 thumping of their fierce rivals Arsenal, Chelsea would look to finish off this game with a solid performance.
But this game can be a potential banana skin for the Blues as the last time the teams had met Chelsea had made heavy water of the match where they had finally managed to win 2-1 courtesy of some excellent saves from Petr Cech.
This match could be exciting enough as Tony Pulis focuses on defensive stability and Crystal Palace won’t be easy to break down. Chelsea have already lost some poor games against Stoke City, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Everton while drawing against West Brom, so nothing short of a win would be accepted by Jose Mourinho.
Andre Schurrle: The German is in fine fettle and has a prolific goal-scoring record whenever he has started in the Premier League, with 7 goals in 10 starts. We can expect Schurrle to start the match as his finishing and direct attacking style of play would be useful to break down Crystal Palace.
Julian Speroni: The Blues midfielders are expected to dominate the possession and hence the chances will fall to the away team. Speroni would have to be in his best form to deny Chelsea easy goals.
Gary Cahill: Crystal Palace have a physically strong in Cameron Jerome and he would have to perform at his usual best to deny the forward any space or comfort, especially during set-piece situations.
Eden Hazard: The Belgian winger is having one hell of a season and is going to be the Blues’ talisman and Crystal Palace would have to be wary of him. Closing him down would be the key to thwarting Chelsea’s advances.
Mile Jedinak: The Eagles’ captain and arguably their best player would have to be at his best to cope up with the likes of Matic, Ramires and Oscar in the heart of the midfield. Possession is something what Crystal Palace would not be having at a premium, but Jedinak will be the key factor who will have to start counter attacks aiming to release the pace of Cameron Jerome up front.
Stats compiled from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Palace: Speroni; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Bolasie, Guedioura, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley; Murray
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard; Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle; Torres
Predicted Result: Crystal Palace 0- 2 Chelsea
Published in permission with Abhay Shenoy
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…