Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Prediction, Lineups, Preview and Team News | Premier League, January 4, 2025

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview

• Tournament: Premier League
• Date: Saturday, January 4
• Kick-off Time: 3:00 pm GMT
• Venue: Selhurst Park, London

Matchday 20 of the 2024/25 Premier League season will include Chelsea and Crystal Palace taking on each other at Selhurst Park in London on Saturday evening. The upcoming round of fixtures will mark the beginning of the second half of the English domestic season. It will be a London derby with both clubs faring quite differently this season. Palace is in 15th spot currently with just 20 points from 19 games while Chelsea is in fifth with 35 points in the bag. The Crystal Palace vs Chelsea game should be easy enough for the visitors but Palace will be determined to put on a tough fight.

Crystal Palace’s recent form outlines the club’s inconsistent form this campaign. In the last six games, Palace has managed two victories, two defeats, and two draws. At the onset of the season, there was plenty of optimism within the club with Oliver Glasner preparing for his first full season in England. The loss of key players has certainly not helped the case. The realistic objective for Crystal Palace will be to push forward for a mid-table finish this season.

Chelsea perhaps exceeded all expectations in the early months of the campaign, establishing themselves as the closest competitor for the leader, Liverpool. Unfortunately, all that excitement has faded in recent weeks, with Chelsea not having a victory in three Premier League games. Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich Town have all optimised the lack of focus and complacency in the Chelsea camp. The atrocious run of results has pushed the Blues to fourth spot with only a three-point gap maintaining Enzo Maresca’s men in the UEFA Champions League places. The Italian coach will now have his first real test as the Chelsea boss in trying to reverse the fortunes.

Crystal Palace Team News

Oliver Glasner will be glad to have the majority of his players available for selection on Saturday. Adam Wharton is the only name guaranteed to be absent. There are also doubts over the participation of Matheus Franca.

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea’s poor run of form will not be helped by the current long injury list. Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Benoit Badiashile will all remain on the sidelines.

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Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Henderson

Defenders: Richards, Lacroix, Guehi

Midfielders: Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell

Forwards: Sarr, Eze, Mateta

Chelsea Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Sanchez

Defenders: Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill. Cucurella

Midfielders: Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer

Forwards: Neto, Sancho, Jackson

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea H2H Record

Overall in the last five head-to-head meetings, Chelsea has won four encounters while the remaining one game ended in a draw.

Key Players to Watch in Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

Enzo Fernandez has been one of the most potent and ambitious signings by Chelsea Football Club in recent years. The Argentinian midfielder has secured a place as one of the regular starters. Fernandez is helped by his ability to play between the lines and also move into the little pockets in attack. At the age of 23, Enzo Fernandez has already appeared in 85 games for Chelsea. The success of the club this season will be dependent on his performances.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Cole Palmer has been one of the biggest reasons behind Chelsea’s resurgence in the previous two seasons. Palmer has been one of the best players in the world so far this season. He is ranked second in big chances created in the Premier League (15). The youngster has already registered 12 goals and six assists in the league so far. There is much more to his game than statistics and Cole Palmer has ensured to display that time and time again.

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Prediction

Selhurst Park is never an easy ground to visit and return with the three points. Nonetheless, Chelsea will bank on the superior head-to-head record and individual quality to obtain a much-needed win.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea

Where to watch Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Live?

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