Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Hoping to find a route back into the top-half of the Premier League table, Chelsea will travel to Selhurst Park on Monday night when they meet Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last week as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of bitter rivals Brighton, Crystal Palace find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. With it no secret that Roy Hodgson has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders in south London, the Eagles are still looking over their shoulder at a potential relegation scrap. Crashing out of the FA Cup last month following a 1-0 loss against Everton, the one-time England boss has seen his side win just a pair of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions. With that extended struggle stemming all the way back to November 4th, Crystal Palace have also gained a reputation for their glaring defensive issues. Including a 5-0 drumming against Arsenal last month, Hodgson’s downbeat squad have shipped 11 strikes in their previous three top-flight showdowns.

Team News

In what is a huge blow for Crystal Palace, the Eagles have confirmed that French star Michael Olise faces two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Likewise, fellow attacking talisman Eberechi Eze will not feature here after sustaining a thigh strain.

Bagging a consolation strike against Brighton last week and drawing a line under a seven-match drought, Jean-Philippe Mateta will spearhead Hodgson’s charge here. Former Manchester United shot-stopper Dean Henderson will keep his spot between the sticks.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, extending on their FA Cup adventure earlier in the week following a shock 3-1 romp away at Aston Villa, Chelsea will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, enduring what has been a public struggle since appointing Mauricio Pochettino last summer, the Blues are still battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table. However, picking up a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Crystal Palace to west London for their reverse showdown on December 27th, the former Tottenham boss could be smelling a potential opportunity here. In fact, on what has become a remarkably rampant record, Chelsea have won all of their previous 13 straight meetings against Sunday’s hosts – a run that stems all the way back to October 2017. Although Pochettino might still have some real scrutiny over his position, the Blues should be excited by a trip across the capital here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Chelsea will travel to Stamford Bridge without the likes of Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and England international Reece James. veteran defender Thiago Silva will be hoping for a full recall on Monday night.

Finding the net against Aston Villa in midweek following his return from this month’s AFCON, Senegal international Nicolas Jackson will spearhead Chelsea’s charge here. Recording 10 Premier League goals this season, ex-Manchester City star Cole Palmer will have a leading role to play.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Crystal Palace and Chelsea met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 27th, the Blues picked up a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
• In fact, Chelsea have won all of their previous 14 straight meetings against the Eagles across all competitions.
• Crystal Palace have claimed just a pair of victories from any of their previous 14 appearances across all formats.
• Hodgson’s side have recorded just a single clean sheet at Selhurst Park since the start of October.
• England international Cole Palmer has bagged 10 Premier League goals so far this season.

Conclusion

Extending on their FA Cup adventure thanks to a stunning 3-1 romp away at Aston Villa, Chelsea will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Landing a 2-1 victory wen they welcomed Crystal Palace to west London for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 27th, the Blues do hold a remarkable record against Sunday’s hosts. On a run that stems all the way back to October 2017, Chelsea have won all of their previous 14 straight showdowns across all competitions.

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet