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The race to the Premier League title resumes this weekend, with games of note broadcast live on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Two London sides go head-to-head in the UK capital when Crystal Palace welcome neighbours Chelsea to Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon. We find the home team on a poor run and in desperate need of all three points.
Chelsea fans haven’t had too much to cheer recently either. The FIFA Club World Cup champions are outside of the top four and miles off the pace set by long-time leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea did collect a ninth win of the season last time out to end a long drought. Can they record back-to-back victories and breathe life into their season? Followers certainly hope so.
The leading online bookmakers offer pre-match betting markets on the Eagles vs the Blues.
An away win is a hot favourite with all major sportsbooks, but Premier League bettors know we can take nothing for granted this season. Need help solving this puzzle? Keep reading as Flashscore’s football betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his preview and predictions.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea tips
Under 3.5 goals @ 4/9 (bet365)
Palmer to score @ 13/8 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Total goals - under 3.5
Our first bet in South London is for Crystal Palace vs Chelsea to produce fewer than four goals. You’ll find this wager in the totals market, selecting under 3.5 goals. As you’re betting on the goals scored by both teams combined, the winner and scorers don’t concern you. A 1-0 home win is every bit as good as a 2-1 away win or a 1-1 draw.
Looking at past meetings, we see Crystal Palace and Chelsea last met back in August when serving up a goalless draw. That match was much less exciting than Premier League followers expected, and we’re hoping for more interest in this renewal. A bet on under 3.5 goals would’ve landed you a profit in each of the previous three meetings. We’re on four.
Focusing on Palace’s results in 2026, Oliver Glasner’s team lost 2-1 in each of their last two games, beaten by Sunderland in this competition and away at Macclesfield in the FA Cup. The Eagles also ended goalless with Aston Villa, lost 2-0 at St James’ Park, and drew 1-1 with Fulham. Chelsea beat Brentford 2-0 in their most recent start. Back under 3.5 goals.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 4/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Crystal Palace vs Chelsea to produce fewer than four goals.
Match winner - Chelsea
For our second pick in the Big Smoke, we’re taking sides when backing Chelsea in the match-winner market. With this approach, the Blues can score with the last kick of the ball to grab an undeserved 1-0 win or ease to a 5-0 victory. A Chelsea win of any description would see you beat the bookies and boost your betting balance. We have reason to be confident.
Chelsea haven’t lost to Crystal Palace in 17 games, an incredible run that stretches back to October 2017 at this venue. Regular readers of my articles know how much I love the stats and trends, and that one is just too strong to ignore. Is this Palace team, with all its off-field problems and poor recent form, good enough to snap that run? I wouldn’t bet on it.
Chelsea have plenty of problems to work through themselves, but the Blues boast the better squad. When they’re firing on all cylinders, Chelsea have proven they’re a match for any opponent. If the visitors are anywhere near their best or as clinical as we saw them in last week’s win over Brentford, they’re good value to add another three points to their tally.
Tip: Chelsea win @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Chelsea to out-score Crystal Palace to win this bet.
Anytime scorer - Palmer
The third and final pick worth your attention in the Crystal Palace vs Chelsea showdown is Cole Palmer to score anytime in the match. You can aim higher and back the talented Chelsea forward to net first and enjoy more appealing odds, but it comes with a greater risk. With the anytime scorer market, your bet is live for the entire time Palmer is on the pitch.
Studying the head-to-head results, we see Palmer scored first in a 1-1 draw when Chelsea were last at Selhurst Park. The Englishman hit the net with 18 minutes on the clock, and that looked like the winning goal until Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised near the end. Palmer arrives in good form, having scored two goals in his previous four, including last weekend.
Palmer returned from injury to score two goals in December. He netted in a 2-0 home win over Everton and then again in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in London. He added to his tally with that strike against the Bees last weekend, and I’m confident he’ll build on that here. Palmer is making up for lost time following injury and he represents good betting value.
Tip: Palmer to score @ 13/8 (bet365)
Bet explanation: As you’re backing Palmer in the anytime scorer market, it doesn’t matter when he finds the net.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Crystal Palace win 12/5 (bet365)
Chelsea win @ 1/1 win (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.