This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. Gamble Aware 18+
Crystal Palace welcome Chelsea to deep south London in the Premier League, with the two teams on very separate trajectories and form. Palace have not won in 10 games in all competitions (D3, L7), which has seen them dumped out of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and winless in seven Premier League games. Add on that they have lost Marc Guehi to Manchester City, are losing Oliver Glasner at the end of the season and may lose Jean-Phillipe Mateta this month, things are far from rosy at Selhurst Park.
Their opponents, Chelsea, have gone through their winter of discontent and now look to a glorious spring under the tutelage of Liam Rosenior. Four games down, and Rosenior’s side have won three, losing only once to league leaders Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. Pundits and fans alike have all celebrated the start of this new era, and if things keep going the way they are, then Chelsea’s ascendancy may not stop.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea key information
• Date: Sunday, 25 January
• Kick-off time: 2pm GMT
• Venue: Selhurst Park, London
• Referee: Darren England
• VAR: Matt Donohue
• TV channels: Sky Sports (UK)
• Odds: CRY (5/2) - DRAW (14/5) - CHE (1/1)
Crystal Palace team news
The quiet bit was said loudly this week as Jean-Philippe Mateta publicised his desire to leave Crystal Palace this month. There were murmurs behind the scenes that this was the case; however, it was just rumours until recently. With 18 months left on his deal, and the striker refusing to sign a new one, it is thought that Palace will cash in on Mateta, though whether it is now or in the summer remains to be seen.
Whilst replacements are being scouted, the team have to deal with the real prospect of ending the seven-game winless streak in the league. Long-term absentees Daichi Kamada and Daniel Munoz have been seen back in training, but won’t be available for this game. One player returning for selection is AFCON winner Ismaïla Sarr, who has been away since mid-December. Eddie Nketiah remains out with a thigh injury, and Nathaniel Clyne is missing with a muscle injury.
Yeremy Pino has now scored in back-to-back games for the first time for Palace, and although both goals came in defeats, the upturn in form from the summer signing will be critical if they are to get anything from the visit of Chelsea. Jefferson Lerma played in the Marc Guehi role in the loss to Sunderland and will likely do the same in this game.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup v Chelsea, (3-4-2-1)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Richards; Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Devenny; Pino, Johnson; Mateta.
Chelsea team news
Transfer news has been rife around Chelsea starlet Cole Palmer this week. The 23-year-old midfielder has been linked with Manchester United, but manager Liam Rosenior said in his press conference that he’s spoken loads with Palmer and that he is happy.
In terms of injuries, Estevao and Jamie Gittens were ill last week, but both have come through that and are available. Filip Jorgensen picked up a knock against Pafos and will be unavailable, along with Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, who himself is yet to make his debut for the club since signing in the summer.
There may be a selection dilemma for Rosenior over Alejandro Garnacho. The winger was a game-changer against Arsenal, but has since been poor. Against Pafos, he was substituted for Jamie Gittens, who, fans and pundits said, revitalised the attack. This match against Palace could see Gittens get his first start since Rosenior’s first match in charge against Charlton.
Chelsea predicted lineup v Crystal Palace, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Liam Rosenior
Sanchez; Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, James; Fernandez, Caicedo; Gittens, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
The match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea will be shown live on Sky Sports. You will need a subscription to the Sky Sports TV channels to watch, also available on NOW.
Head-to-head record
Crystal Palace are winless in their last 16 Premier League games against Chelsea, drawing the last three after losing 13 in a row. That, twinned with Palace’s 10-game winless streak, means that this could be an uphill struggle to get the win for the home side. Yet, Chelsea have not won back-to-back Premier League matches since November, so a win here may be harder to come by than it seems.
Odds for Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Chelsea are favourites to win against Palace, with bet365 having them at 1/1, with Palace at 5/2. A draw is at 14/5.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.