On Saturday 29th March, Chelsea visit Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in the Barclays Premier League.
Tony Pulis’ Eagles find themselves in a bit of a rut form wise with zero wins and only 1 goal in their last 5 games. After an initial improvement in form and a rise up the table following Pulis’ appointment, this run of poor form has seen Palace drop to 17th place in the Barclays Premier League.
Chelsea on the other hand sit proudly at the top of the table and Jose Mourinho’s men are eyeing yet another league title. Â With 4 wins in their last 5 games Chelsea are looking in ominous form, especially after their 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal last time out.
Match Facts
- Crystal Palace have won only  6 of their 15 home Barclays Premier League matches so far this season.
- Crystal Palace have scored the lowest amount of goals in the league this season, with only 19 in their 30 games so far.
- Chelsea have the best defensive record of all the teams in the Barclays Premier League, having only conceded 23 goals so far this season.
- When these two met in December at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won 2-1 as Ramires got the game-winner for the home side in a match where all the scoring took place in the first 35 minutes of the game.
Team News
Although Crystal Palace only have Marouane Chamakh and Dwight Gayle unavailable, expect Tony Pulis to shuffle his pack as he searches for a goal scoring formula to help his team rediscover their goal scoring form.
Chelsea will be without long term injured pair Samuel Eto’o and Marco Van Ginkel. Ashley Cole is also unavailable as this game comes 1 week too early for him.
Whereas Palace have minimal attacking options, Chelsea have no such problems, they can choose from Eden Hazard, Andre Schurrle, Oscar, Willian or Mohamed Salah in the positions behind Fernando Torres.
Key Men
Tom Ince has been an inspired signing for the Eagles. Having arrived in January from Blackpool, the former Liverpool youngster has impressed many with his form.
He has been one of Palace’s most creative players with 5 chances created and he is creating a chance every 318 minutes. He has also got his name on the scoresheet once and if Palace are to score more goals then he will be the man behind it.
What can be said about Eden Hazard? If it wasn’t for Luis Suarez then he would be odds-on to be the Footballer of the Year. He has been Chelsea’s stand out player.
With 14 league goals and 7 assists he is the man who makes things happen for Chelsea. Not only has he scored and made goals but he is creating a clear cut chance every 293 minutes.
Match Prediction
Crystal Palace are desperate for the points. They are in danger of being sucked back into the relegation zone and all their home games are vital.
However, Chelsea seem to be relentless in their pursuit of the Barclays Premier League title. However, they slipped up in their last away game against Aston Villa.
However, I cannot see them slipping up again. They will have too much for Crystal Palace and I expect them to win this game 3-0.
