As we head closer to the Christmas schedule, the fixtures arrive thick and fast so it is back to Selhurst Park this weekend for the visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea in the opening game of the weekend.
The Blues make the short trip across London and will take on Palace after a great run of form which has put them ahead of everyone else in the top division of English football. Italian coach Antonio Conte has certainly got his side into good shape in a short space of time since taking over the role in the summer and are looking like the team to beat.
Two narrow wins against West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland in recent games suggest that the Stamford Bridge outfit are not having things all their own way lately. Meanwhile, Palace enter the fixture off the back of a late home loss to United when they were destined for a share of the points after a run of two games unbeaten.
TEAM NEWS
CRYSTAL PALACE – James Tomkins (groin), Bakary Sako (muscle), Connor Wickham (knee), Pape Souare (leg), Jonathan Benteke (knee), Loic Remy (calf), Steve Mandanda (knee) all miss out as the injury list grows ever longer.
CHELSEA -Eden Hazard (knee), Oscar (illness), John Obi Mikel, Kurt Zouma, Marco van Ginkel and John Terry (gluteal strain) are all doubtful.
ACTION REPLAY
The last time these two sides met was in a one sided affair at Selhurst Park back in January not long after the sacking of Jose Mourinho. Brazilian midfielder Oscar gave Chelsea the lead heading into the break and second half goals from Willian and Diego Costa ensured all three points went back to Stamford Bridge. Oscar was the Who Scored man of the match (8.8).
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 03/01/2016: Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea
- 29/08/2015: Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace
- 03/05/2015: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 18/10/2014: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
- 29/03/2014: Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 14/12/2016: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
- 10/12/2016: Hull City 3-3 Crystal Palace
- 03/12/2016: Crystal Palace 3-0 Southampton
- 26/11/2016: Swansea City 5-4 Crystal Palace
- 19/11/2016: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City
Last FIVE results for Chelsea;
- 14/12/2016: Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea
- 11/12/2016: Chelsea 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
- 03/12/2016: Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea
- 26/11/2016: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
- 20/11/2016: Middlesbrough 0-1 Chelsea
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Eden Hazard 7.94
- Diego Costa 7.78
- Wilfried Zaha 7.64
- Christian Benteke 7.54
ONE TO WATCH
VICTOR MOSES
The former Palace academy product finally looks to have found himself a place at Chelsea who he joined back in 2012 from Wigan Athletic. The 26 year old has so far made 37 appearances for the Blues and scoring 4 goals but it was in South London where he began his career, making his first team debut for Palace in 2007. After 58 appearances and 11 goals, the Nigerian born midfielder moved to Wigan for £2.5million when the Eagles went into administration. Moses went on to make 74 appearances for the Latics and scored 8 goals. During his spell at Chelsea he has enjoyed loan stints at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United. He represented England at several youth levels but opted to play for his birth country, making his debut for Nigeria in 2012 and has accrued 27 caps and scored 1 goal to date.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 1st
The side from West London are in ominous form heading into the busy Christmas schedule as Antonio Conte looks to have made quick work of moulding the side to his liking. Somehow, he seems to has tamed the once always angry Diego Costa where others have failed. The fact that the Blues, a little like Leicester City last season, have no European competition to contend with this season is likely to stand them in very good stead as the expected challengers to the title stumble.
- TEB prediction – draw
- Chelsea Rumours prediction (see link below) – away win
- Who Scored prediction – away win
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 5/1
- Draw 16/5
- Away 4/7
- Both teams to score 4/6
FIND OUR WHAT RASMUS FROM CHELSEA RUMOURS TOLD TEB THIS WEEK IN THE CHELSEA VIEW
