Game Preview: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea welcomes Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge in a Premier League clash where the Blues aim to continue their dominance over the Eagles. Chelsea comes into this match with momentum after a resounding victory against Wolves, while Crystal Palace is looking to bounce back from consecutive league defeats.
Key Stats & Insights
- Head-to-Head: Chelsea has won all of the last 10 meetings against Crystal Palace, including a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park in their most recent encounter.
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Recent Form:
- Chelsea: The Blues have won 7 of their last 10 Premier League matches, with an impressive average of 2.8 goals per game. They have also been strong at home, showing improvements under new manager Enzo Maresca.
- Crystal Palace: Palace has won 6 of their last 10 league games but has suffered back-to-back defeats recently. They have struggled against Chelsea historically, especially when playing away.
Team Form and Performance
- Chelsea: Chelsea has shown their attacking prowess, especially in their 6-2 win against Wolves, where Noni Madueke scored a hat-trick. With Cole Palmer in excellent form, contributing both goals and assists, Chelsea’s offense is expected to be a major threat. Defensively, they have conceded 1.5 goals per game in their last 10 outings, indicating some vulnerabilities.
- Crystal Palace: Despite a strong end to the previous season, Crystal Palace has had a slow start this term, with losses against Brentford and West Ham. Jean-Philippe Mateta has been a key player, but the team’s defensive frailties have been exposed, conceding four goals in their last two Premier League games.
Head-to-Head Records
Chelsea has a dominant record against Crystal Palace, winning all of their last 10 encounters. The Blues have also been prolific at Stamford Bridge, winning their last seven home games against Palace. The average goals per game in these fixtures is 2.33, with Chelsea generally outscoring their opponents.
Player Form and Availability
- Chelsea: Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer have been standout performers, with Madueke recently netting a hat-trick. Reece James is suspended, and Romeo Lavia remains doubtful due to a thigh injury. Despite these absences, Chelsea’s lineup is expected to be strong.
- Crystal Palace: Palace will be without Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca due to injuries. Nathaniel Clyne is likely to continue at center-back. Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta will be key in trying to breach Chelsea’s defense.
Predicted Lineups
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Nicolas Jackson.
- Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Dean Henderson; Nathaniel Clyne, Marc Guehi, Chris Richards; Daniel Munoz, Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes; Daichi Kamada, Eberechi Eze; Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Market Analysis (Odds)
- Chelsea Win: Priced at 1.6, Chelsea is the clear favorite with a 60.6% implied probability of victory.
- Crystal Palace Win: The Eagles are considered outsiders at 5.20, reflecting a 19.2% chance of an upset.
- Over 2.5 Goals: The market favors a high-scoring game, with Chelsea’s attacking form and Palace’s defensive struggles suggesting goals are likely.
Predictions
- Final Score Prediction: Chelsea to win 3-1. Given Chelsea’s recent form and Palace’s defensive issues, the Blues are expected to secure a comfortable win while conceding a goal.
- Best Bets: Chelsea to win at 1.6. For those looking for better value, consider backing a Chelsea win combined with both teams to score (BTTS) at a higher price