Premier League preview and odds: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Published on: 15/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

December 17, 2016 12:30pm - Selhurst Park

Premier League

Crystal Palace will be hoping to put the brakes on their slide towards the bottom three when they go up against league leaders Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime. The visitors themselves are aiming for an 11th-straight top flight victory.

Just one win in last 10 matches for Palace

Crystal Palace`s decent start to the season, which saw them rise to seventh place in the table after six games, has proved to be a false dawn. Now, just 10 games later, the Eagles are languishing in 16th place and slipping ever closer to the relegation zone.

Alan Pardew`s men fell to a late winner at home to Manchester United in midweek and must now face a team that has won their last 10 games in row. The only positive for Palace is that they have the best goal difference of all the teams in the bottom 10. If they do end up in a relegation scrap that could prove to be a telling factor.

Meanwhile, opponents Chelsea are chasing their 11th-straight win as they seek to maintain their six-point gap at the top of the table. A Cesc Fabregas goal in the 40th minutes was enough to overcome Sunderland in their midweek clash, although they had to rely on Thibaut Courtois to make some crucial saves late on.

Antonio Conte`s team were below Palace in the table after six games had been played but are now 25 points and 15 places ahead of them in the rankings.

Key stats

Crystal Palace have scored at least one goal in their last 8 matches.

Crystal Palace have conceded at least once in all but one of their home games.

Cheslea have won their last 10 matches in a row.

Cheslea have scored in all but one of their away matches including their last five in a row.

Team news

The home side still have plenty of injury concerns with Bakary Sakho (muscle), James Tomkins (groin), Connor Wickham (knee), Steve Mandanda (knee), Jonathan Bentele (meniscus), Pape Souare (leg and facial injuries) and Loic Remy (quadriceps) all still out.

Meanwhile, Chelsea trio Eden Hazard, Oscar and John Terry are all still doubtful, while Marco van Ginkel will definitely miss out with a knee injury.

Recent form (League):

Crystal Palace: LDWLL

Chelsea: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Chelsea`s remarkable form continues while Palace continue to slide. The Blues have won their last five away games in a row and have only conceded once in that period. Expect more of the same on Saturday when they make the short journey across London to face a team that has lost four of their last five at home.

You can back Chelsea to Win to Nil at 15/8 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 15/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/12/2016 13:08:25) but are subject to change.