Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview

It’s West London versus South London this Sunday, as Chelsea welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.

On Thursday, Chelsea unconvincingly booked their spot in the Europa Conference League’s league phase. Despite losing 2-1 on the night to Swiss side Servette, their first leg win was just enough to see them through.

Crystal Palace also played during the week, as they saw off Championship outfit Norwich City in the Carabao Cup. It was a routine victory for Palace, as they put four past the Canaries without reply.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview

Form

Chelsea: LWWL

It has been a mercurial beginning to the Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea, with the Blues’ results fluctuating week by week.

The defeat to Manchester City on the opening weekend was quickly forgotten after last Sunday’s 6-2 drubbing of Wolves.

Noni Madueke’s ruthless 14-minute hat-trick was the highlight and his week got even better after a first call-up to the England senior team under new interim boss Lee Carsley.

Joao Felix marked his second debut with the Blues with a goal as he linked up well with summer signing Pedro Neto for the sixth.

Crystal Palace: WLL

It’s Crystal Palace’s third London derby in as many games and Oliver Glasner will be hoping his side can change the tide after two disheartening performances.

Brentford and West Ham have both conquered the Eagles in the league, but after the captures of Eddie Nketiah, Trevoh Chalobah and Maxence Lacroix on deadline day, Glasner may feel that his team is better suited to compete.

That 4-0 win over Norwich in midweek came at the perfect time and Palace will be looking to build some momentum.

Summer signing Daichi Kamada got his first in Palace colours and Jean-Phillipe Mateta recorded a brace to open his account, after netting 19 times last term. Eberechi Eze, who has remained at Selhurst Park despite summer suitors, was also on target.

Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea, Premier League, 12th February 2024

Two stoppage-time goals earned Chelsea a late win from behind on a wintery Monday night in South London.

Conor Gallagher came back to haunt his former club as he scored twice against the club which held him in such high esteem after a magnificent year on loan during the 2021/22 season.

Jefferson Lerma had given the hosts the lead at the interval with an unstoppable effort from outside the area which flew past Djordje Petrovic and into the top corner.

But in the second period, Mauricio Pochettino’s players looked like a completely different team. Gallagher’s first restored parity just shy of the hour mark and his second put them in front in the dying embers of the encounter.

With seconds remaining, Palace committed players forward in search of an equaliser of their own, but that left them exposed at the back. Chelsea broke and in the last action of the game, Enzo Fernandez finished a flowing move to seal three points for his side.

Predicted Lineups:

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Munoz, Richards, Guehi, Riad, Mitchell; Wharton, Doucoure; Eze Kamada; Mateta.

Who is the referee?

Jarred Gillett.

What channel is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace on?

The game will not be televised live to a UK audience.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 13:30 BST on Sunday 1st September 2024.

Odds

Chelsea – 4/7

Draw – 10/3

Crystal Palace – 17/4

Read – The most expensive Premier League XI of summer signings

See more – Every Premier League transfer record broken this summer

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