Super Sunday begins with a London derby at Selhurst Park – Crystal Palace takes on Chelsea

A big match for these Londoners on the last day of Matchday 20. Chelsea finding the festive not so giving and Palace find some new gifts in a busy time.

Not a bad fixture to get proceedings underway in Super Sunday, Matchday 20. Roy Hodgson has some payback to hand Maurizio Sarri and there is no better time than now. After starting like the Bridge was on fire, Chelsea were reminded on three occasions… This is the English Premier League.

Of those reminders and tug back down to earth for Chelsea, one of those defeats came in recent weeks at the hands of Leicester City, who have now taken down both the Blues of Stamford Bridge, and the Blues of Manchester. The other came several weeks ago, when they played a promoted side showing early signs of being a permanent name in the top half of the table.

Crystal Palace should find some confidence in this. That, and they too have taken down the previous champions, Man City. They have endured a better and more fruitful time on the pitch in recent weeks . With the side showing an ounce more discipline and making it count in front of goal on a regular, they have now made for a better second round.

Before today’s London derby

The home side are with no doubt the better team of the two because of recent results. But where the two sit on the table, Chelsea are firm favourites for three points. Without a striker though, the travelling team has struggled to come away with goals. But never doubt Eden.

Jonathan Pearce on MOTD (BBC football);

"Any team that can win at Manchester City should have no fears about Chelsea. Okay, Palace didn’t beat Cardiff, but they created 31 chances – their highest number in a Premier League match in 15 seasons."

Efficiency, yes! However, holding onto that one goal advantage has been a task unable to be completed by the Blues. Since the start of December, Palace have won three, lost two, and drew one. Their visitors have won five and lost two. Yes, sounds a better run than the team they face today. However, the teams who Chelsea lost out to on points were opposition who they are supposed to be killing off, in what is supposed to be a title-contending season.

The reverse meeting between the two, Chelsea took the honours by three goals to one. Although they have a test of victory already, Palace likes this fixture and always has a habit of interrupting the Blues’ run. Having won this tie last season two goals to one, gives Roy the edge. Sarri needs some introduction to this London derby inside the Eagles’ park. Roy must make it one to forget.