Chelsea had won 14 consecutive meetings with Crystal Palace, prior to the pair drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture, but the Blues are targeting a seventh successive victory at Selhurst.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview
After a truly miserable end to an otherwise encouraging 2024, can Chelsea get back to winning ways? On Monday, the Blues were beaten 2-0 by Ipswich at Portman Road, ending the night with a humungous xG figure of 2.2, but leaving Suffolk empty handed. That made it back-to-back defeats for Enzo Maresca's side, previously beaten 2-1 by West London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, having also been held to a dire goalless draw at Goodison four days earlier. Prior to this three-match slump, Chelsea had recorded five straight wins, leading to talk that they were bona fide Premier League title contenders, but now they're fourth, ten points adrift run-away league-leaders Liverpool. So now, can the Blues avoid three successive league defeats for the first time since April-May 2023, back when Frank Lampard was manager?
Crystal Palace meanwhile will fancy their chances of a first win over Chelsea since October 2017. The Eagles fought back from a goal down to defeat bottom of the table Southampton last Sunday, with Trevoh Chalobah heading home an equaliser from a corner, before Eberechi Eze lashed in the winner. Oliver Glasner's side were smashed 5-1 by Arsenal just before Christmas, but this remains Palace's sole league defeat in eight, move them up to 15th, five points clear of danger, having been in the bottom three as recently as late-November. So, can Palace add to Chelsea's recent woes?
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 66.
- Crystal Palace Wins: 12. Draws: 16. Chelsea Wins: 38.
Crystal Palace Team News
Marc Guéhi can return to face his former club, having served a one-match suspension against Southampton, while fellow centre-back Chadi Riad was back on the bench last Sunday, hoping to feature for the first time since August due to a knee injury suffered in an EFL Cup tie against Norwich. Aside from Guéhi displacing Chris Richards, Oliver Glasner is expected to name an unchanged lineup, with Jean-Philippe Mateta once again spearheading the attack, while Eddie Nketiah is still searching for his first league goal for Palace. Adam Wharton and Matheus França remain sidelined.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Crystal Palace Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Eberechi Eze bagged his second goal of the season last weekend, the other was a long-range screamer that earned a point at Stamford Bridge in August, his first-ever career goal against Chelsea.
Chelsea Team News
Defenders Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell remain sidelined, but Reece James was an unused substitute against Ipswich, with the club captain hoping to feature for the first time since 10 November following a reoccurrence of his ongoing hamstring issue. Enzo Maresca rotated his team a bit on Monday, giving goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen just a second-ever Premier League appearance, but Robert Sánchez is expected to be restored. Similarly, João Félix and Christopher Nkunku were both handed rare league starts in Suffolk, but Nicolas Jackson will lead the attack this time, with either Jadon Sancho or Pedro Neto getting the nod out-wide. Roméo Lavia could be back involved, having not been seen since the win at Spurs due to a hamstring issue, but Mykhailo Mudryk will not feature for a while, following a positive drugs test.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Chelsea Player to Watch vs Crystal Palace
Cole Palmer has 12 Premier League goals to his name this season, but has never netted in three previous attempts against Palace, so can he change this fact?
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Prediction
We are backing Chelsea to get back to winning ways in South London. The Blues boast so much attacking talent, and history tells us that they always beat Palace: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Premier League game on TV channel?
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network 5 Canada
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Premier League game on live streaming?
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Crystal Palace vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea takes place on Saturday 4 January 2025, with kick off at 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (EDT) & 7:00 (PST).