Crystal Palace vs Chelsea predictions: Blues to take the spoils
- Both teams have scored in seven of Crystal Palace’s last eight league games
- There have been at least three goals in five of Chelsea's last six league games
- Recommended bet: Chelsea to win & both teams to score
There is plenty of pressure on both Chelsea manager Maurico Pochettino and Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, which should lead to an interesting encounter between their two teams at Selhurst Park on Monday.
Pochettino will hope his outfit have turned the corner following their impressive 3-1 FA Cup win at Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Hodgson needs to harness what his team provided in their home wins over Brentford and Sheffield United, which have been their only successes in their last 12 league games.
Team news
Palace are severely weakened by the absence of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, whose creative influence is likely to be missed.
Marc Guehi, Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding and Jesuru Rak-Sakyi are also ruled out for the Eagles.
Thiago Silva is likely to come back into the Chelsea defence after Benoit Badiashile suffered a groin injury in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
The game may have come too early for Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah, while Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukuwu, Romeo Lavia and Robert Sanchez are all unavailable.
The stats
Both teams have scored in seven of Crystal Palace’s last eight Premier League matches, while the Eagles have conceded 12 goals in their last three matches.
Palace have won just two of their last 12 league games.
There have been at least three goals in five of Chelsea's last six league games.
Cole Palmer has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League outings for Chelsea.
Prediction
There is plenty at stake for the men in the dugout at Selhurst Park, but recent statistics suggest that should not result in a cagey London derby.
Both of these teams have been pretty open and while the absences of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze are likely to hit Palace hard, they have scored three times in each of their last two league home games.
They can create things and could still threaten a Chelsea defence who have kept just two clean sheets in their last 16 top-flight outings.
Hodgson would love his team to exploit that shakiness, but they may not have enough to take anything from the game as there is a sense that the BLues’ win at Villa Park could finally give them the kick they need.
Chelsea lost 4-1 at Liverpool the last time they were on their Premier League travels, but the class is still there and, after scoring two goals in the opening 21 minutes at Villa Park, they have the recipe to follow.
Pochettino’s boys should be expected to make a quick start and, while their defence cannot be heavily relied upon, they have enough in attack to claim three points even if both teams score.
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