Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win & under four goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to regain their spot in the top-four this weekend, Chelsea will make the trip across London on Saturday evening when they travel to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, while Crystal Palace might still be struggling to pick up maximum points, The Eagles should be boosted by their late charge at Goodison Park on Monday evening. Eventually snatching a late equalizer in their 1-1 draw away at European chasers Everton earlier in the week, Roy Hodgson’s side still have their sights set on making a push for the top-half. Collecting four points from their back-to-back Premier League matchups following their 1-0 win against West Brom when heading into March’s international break, the one-time England boss has seen his side lose just one of their last six top-flight contests. Grabbing a point off of Manchester United last month thanks to a 0-0 stalemate at Selhurst Park, Palace do hold a reputation for their rugged approach. However, although Saturday’s hosts might have recorded three clean sheets on the spin on home soil, they do hold a dreadful record against their London rivals. Including a 4-0 drumming at Stamford Bridge back in October, Palace have lost each of their last seven meetings against Chelsea.

Team News

After bagging the equalizer against Everton on Monday, on-loan striker Michy Batshuayi will not be able to feature this weekend against his parent club.

However, the duo of James McCarthy and Tyrick Mitchell are expected to make a return on Saturday evening.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, after suffering that stunning 5-2 defeat against relegation scrappers West Brom on home soil last weekend, there is no doubt that Chelsea would have been glad to make a return to winning ways in midweek. Turning their attention back to Champions League duties on Wednesday night, The Blues picked up a crucial advantage thanks to a 2-0 victory against Porto on foreign soil. Despite losing their spot in the top-four following that shock defeat against The Baggies, the former Premier League champions have gained plenty of plaudits since bringing in new boss Thomas Tuchel. With it no secret that Chelsea have an automatic spot at next year’s Champions League on the top of their agenda, they have gained a recent reputation for their success on the road. Including that 2-0 win against Porto earlier in the week, the former PSG boss is yet to taste defeat away from Stamford Bridge since taking charge back in January.

Team News

Chelsea Head Coach Thomas Tuchel gave his side a clean bill of health in his pre-match press conference.

However, central defender Thiago Silva is suspended as a result of his sending off at West Brom last weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge back in October, Chelsea have won each of their last seven meetings against Crystal Palace.
• The Blues have also won five of their last six trips to Selhurst Park.
• Chelsea are yet to taste defeat outside of West London since Thomas Tuchel took charge.
• Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last six Premier League contests.
• Likewise, The Eagles have recorded three straight clean sheets at Selhurst Park.

Conclusion

After managing to bounce back from that stunning defeat against West Brom last weekend, Chelsea should be looking to build off of that 2-0 victory on foreign soil earlier in the week. Picking up a crucial advantage against Porto in their Champions League quarter-final, Thomas Tuchel’s side will be desperate to break back into the top-four across the capital on Saturday evening. While Crystal Palace might have once again gained a reputation for their rugged displays, The Eagles could face a stern test on home soil. Suffering a 4-0 drumming when they made the trip to Stamford Bridge back in October, Chelsea have picked up maximum points in each of their last seven meetings against Palace.

Verdict: Chelsea win & under four goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet