Chelsea will face a real character test when they host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge as Mauricio Pochettino seeks answers.
Wolves became the latest side to get the best out of an expensively assembled Chelsea side at Molineux when they ran out 2-1 winners on Sunday, with Crystal Palace up next. Goals from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty did the job for the Midlands side, but a late goal from Christopher Nkunku did create hope, but it counted for nothing.
With another sub-par result under the belt, Mauricio Pochettino remains puzzled about his side’s qualities, considering some of the gilt-edged chances they missed. Chelsea have dominated games, but fundamental mistakes have cost them points.
More importantly, they are struggling to get out of the mid-table, and Pochettino will seek answers from his players. The upcoming game against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge will be a big test of character for the Blues, who are desperate for consistency and stabilising their season.
Roy Hodgson will look to approach this game as he has done in the last few. In hindsight, Crystal Palace have performed well in their previous three games, but remain with only one victory in their last eleven Premier League games.
Since losing to Liverpool in controversial circumstances, Crystal Palace have secured back-to-back draws against Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. Those results showed they can perform at the highest levels, and Hodgson will take positives and build momentum.
Taking on Chelsea during this festive period, Hodgson might see an opportunity to take advantage of their opponents’ terrible form and inflict another problem on his Argentine counterpart. Palace remains desperate for a win, and that must play on their manager’s mind for now as he readies his side for a crucial London Derby.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
The defeat at Wolves also meant Chelsea will lose a few key personnel ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace. Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer picked up their fifth bookings and will miss this game at Stamford Bridge.
There are doubts about Moises Caicedo’s availability, although Mauricio Pochettino remains hopeful of having the Ecuadorian back. Lesley Ugochukwu also picked up a hamstring problem, meaning he could miss the Palace game alongside Enzo Fernandez, who has a knock.
Chelsea continue to miss a host of players through injury, and Pochettino received no respite in the way of seeing someone necessary return to training. He can now count on Christopher Nkunku’s fitness after the Frenchman scored after coming on as a substitute. So, with some key players missing out, he could start.
Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke could also get their chances to start in the attacking setup alongside Nicolas Jackson. Conor Gallagher could also move behind in central midfield, while Axel Disasi could start alongside Malo Gusto in defence.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Nkunku, Mudryk; Jackson
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson has played similar lineups more or less in the last two or three games and will continue the trend heading to Stamford Bridge. The draw against Brighton & Hove Albion did not create more problems for the Palace boss, and he might make only one change.
Will Hughes could drop down to the bench as Hodgson could hand Eberechi Eze a start. The latter had a hamstring issue recently but has made a few cameos, especially 20 minutes against Brighton at the weekend. With more training also under his belt, the playmaker might be ready to start games.
Having him and Michael Olise in the starting lineup makes Palace a strong attacking outfit. Hodgson would hope to get more from his strikers, as Jean-Philippe Mateta will likely keep his place in the No.9 role.
Similarly, Hodgson will hope for more from Chris Richards, as the veteran manager hopes the midfielder starts assuming more responsibility in an essential position alongside Jefferson Lerma.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Richards; Olise, Eze, Ayew; Mateta
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won their last 12 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Chelsea have been drawing at half-time and winning at full-time in their last four matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last five home matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace’s winless run has extended to seven matches in the Premier League.
- Crystal Palace have secured back-to-back draws in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Michael Olise
Michael Olise’s last 2 games:
⚽ vs. Man City
🅰️ vs. BrightonPinpoint cross. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/0js6DyT0Qp
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 21, 2023
There are plenty of contenders, but Olise might stand out among this expensive set of players taking the pitch at Stamford Bridge. Not only has the Frenchman looked bright since overcoming his injury problems, but he might also have a point to prove when taking on Chelsea.
Olise became the subject of a transfer bid from Chelsea in the summer, although he chose to stay and sign a new contract at Crystal Palace. He now has the chance to show the Stamford Bridge crowd what they probably missed out on by putting in a masterful performance to kick-start his season.
Prediction
Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have been gritty customers to handle and caused many problems for Brighton and Manchester City in recent weeks. While they remain without a win in many games now, Roy Hodgson may have figured out how to put in a stubborn yet clinical display against big opponents.
Chelsea have been profligate by all means, and Mauricio Pochettino will hope for a change in scenario for their attackers. With the Blues missing some key personnel, Crystal Palace will sense an opportunity to nick something. Overall, this game appears to be heading towards a draw, although both sides could have their chance to take all three points.
