Chelsea will look to potentially climb into the Champions League places on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Selhurst Park to take on out-of-form Crystal Palace.
Liam Rosenior made a winning start on his Premier League debut in the dugout for Chelsea on Saturday, as his new side won 2-0 at home to bogey side Brentford.
That victory was the Blues’ first Premier League win in five matches and second in 10, moving them up into sixth position in the Premier League table, just two points behind Liverpool in fourth.
Chelsea also claimed a crucial three points in the Champions League in midweek, as they defeated Cypriot champions Pafos FC 1-0 to move inside the top eight in the league phase table – with that result also helping land a 10/11 winner for me.
Crystal Palace’s poor run of form continued last weekend, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light against newly-promoted Sunderland.
Oliver Glasner’s side are now winless in each of their previous seven Premier League outings (W0-D2-L5) – as well as being dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Macclesfield FC – to leave them in 13th position, six points behind their visitors.
How the bookies view it: Chelsea favourites
Chelsea are favourites to record a third victory in eight days, with bet365 pricing an away success at 1/1.
Crystal Palace are 5/2 to snap out of their seven-game winless streak in the Premier League on Sunday, whilst the draw is 14/5.
Head to head: Blues dominance
Chelsea are unbeaten in each of their previous 17 meetings with Crystal Palace (W14-D3-L0).
However the last three have ended in a stalemate, including a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season.
Players to watch: Return of Cole the goal?
Cole Palmer has had his season interrupted through injury, but his goal from the spot against Brentford was his fifth goal across his 13 appearances in all competitions this season.
The England international scored at this venue in a 1-1 draw last season, and he is an appealing 19/20 at William Hill to Score or Assist if he comes back into the starting eleven.
Predicted line-ups:
Crystal Palace are still missing the injured Cheick Doucoure, Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah, but Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr return.
Chelsea are still without Levi Colwill, Tosin, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia, but Cole Palmer is expected to return.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro
Anything else catch the eye?
The mood around Selhurst Park doesn’t appear to be a good one just, but with Chelsea not looking overly convincing since Liam Rosenior’s appointment, its hard to back either team with confidence.
Chelsea have drawn five of their last 10 Premier League outings – including three of their past four away from home – whilst the Eagles have had a stalemate in 6/11 (55%) of their Premier League clashes at Selhurst Park.
As alluded to, each of the previous three meetings have ended in a draw, and a repeat is my preferred play.
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