Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction

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There is a London derby taking place at Selhurst Park this weekend as underperforming but improving Crystal Palace now welcome a Chelsea side that have stuttered in the title race.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 4th January, 2025: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock

Crystal Palace Preview: Eagles beginning to fly

Crystal Palace, coached by former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, have underperformed a bit this season with a lack of wins but there is an expectation that they will now push themselves towards the top-half of the table with an improved run of form.

The Eagles come into this one on the back of a hard-fought come-from-behind 2-1 defeat of Southampton at Selhurst Park last weekend. That means the south Londoners have now suffered just one defeat in their last eight matches in the Premier League.

Chelsea Preview: Blues for Maresca

Enzo Maresca heavily rotated last week as Chelsea travelled to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town and it backfired as the Blues suffered a shock but deserved 2-0 defeat to the struggling Tractor Boys thanks to goals from Liam Delap and then former Chelsea man Omari Hutchinson.

That finished off what was a very difficult festive period for Maresca and his supposed title challengers. They shared a goalless draw with Everton a few days before Christmas before then suffering a surprise and last gasp 2-1 defeat at home to local rivals Fulham on Boxing Day.

Crystal Palace Team News: No Hughes

In his pre-match press conference, Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Will Hughes will be unavailable for this weekend. Key defender Trevoh Chalobah is also sidelined as he is ineligible to play against his parent club, whilst Adam Wharton is also still missing through injury.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Doucoure, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta

Unavailable: Chalobah (Ineligible), Wharton (Injured), Hughes (Injured), Franca (Fitness), Umeh-Chibueze (Injured)

Questionable: Holding (Out of favour)

Chelsea Team News: James 'ready for minutes'

Wesley Fofana has suffered an injury setback and fellow French defender Benoit Badiashile is also unavailable due to injury with Romeo Lavia described as 'very close' to a return. Club captain Reece James is 'ready for minutes' according to Maresca after being a part of the squad last week.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Unavailable: Badiashile (Injured), Fofana (Injured), Lavia (Fitness), Dewsbury-Hall (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Kellyman (Injured)

Questionable: Chukwuemeka (Illness)

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Prediction

As mentioned, Crystal Palace’s recent improvement is actually over a sustained period of time now but Palace have simply just struggled to get themselves over the line for three points. They will believe they can propel themselves back up the table now, though, as they welcome a wobbling Chelsea side to Selhurst Park that will return to their full strength eleven but may well lack the control required away from home at a Palace side that have made themselves difficult to beat.

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Tip: Both teams to score