Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview | Team News | Expected Line-Up’s | Prediction

Chelsea will be looking to cement their position in the top four with a win when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues bounced back from their shock home defeat to Leicester City before Christmas by beating Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day thanks to a double from Eden Hazard.

That victory left them fourth in the Premier League table and with fifth-placed Arsenal losing away to Liverpool this evening, Chelsea can move five points clear of their London rivals with a win over Palace tomorrow.

Palace head in to the game off the back of an excellent run of form that’s seen them beat Leicester City and Manchester City before drawing with Cardiff on Boxing Day to move them clear of the relegation zone so Roy Hodgon’s men should be full of confidence.

Team news

Chelsea will be without Pedro after he was ruled out for ten days with a hamstring injury while Callum Hudson-Odoi is also expected to miss out with his own hamstring problem that he suffered on Boxing Day.

Alvaro Morata could return from a knee injury but Olivier Giroud is pushing for a recall up front while Ross Barkley could also get a run-out in midfield.

Palace have no fresh injuries to contend with but Christian Benteke remains on the sidelines. Cheikhou Kouyate, Martin Kelly and Wayne Hennessey could be back in contention after recovering from injuries.

Expected Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea: Palace have a solid record against Chelsea having won two of their last four meetings – including a 2-1 win last season – and they come in to the game in fine form so this will be a difficult game for the Blues. However, if Hazard is on form then I can see Chelsea edging it as I don’t see Palace being able to contain him and they don’t have the goal threat to out-score the visitors.