Chelsea will take the field against Crystal Palace in a bid to put a stop to their miserable run in the Premier League.
A home fixture against Crystal Palace will be the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to inject some much-needed belief into their dejected season. The Blues lost to London rivals Fulham 2-1 earlier this week, while the Eagles were beaten by Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup.
Graham Potter’s job is not in any imminent danger. But the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager is under severe pressure to deliver as he has been unable dictate terms since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Potter’s promise of turning things around has not gone to plan, and Chelsea have slipped to tenth place in the standings. A spot in the top four looks like a distant dream. And after taking charge from Thomas Tuchel, the current Chelsea boss cannot really shy away from taking the blame.
Meanwhile, Palace’s season has been a curious affair as the Eagles have not been consistent. They have lost their last two matches in all competitions and are still looking to register their first victory in 2023.
Dominating away matches has not been their forte this term. But given Chelsea’s recent struggles, Palace will try to make an impact in the London derby. With matches against Manchester United and Newcastle United coming soon, the Eagles could take some inspiration by getting the job done against the Blues.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
After that three match ban, Joao Felix's loan will now cost Chelsea $666,666 per game… 😳 pic.twitter.com/c0DKah7s0c
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 12, 2023
Chelsea’s problems have exploded, as Joao Felix had an awful introduction to English football. The Portuguese forward was given a straight red following a two-footed tackle on a Fulham player, and he will now miss the next three games.
Injury issues have not been sorted either, as Reece James, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling are still in the treatment room.
Denis Zakaria injured himself against Fulham, and his position could be jeopardised. Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s participation is still in doubt. So Graham Potter should make a few changes to the lineup which faced Fulham in the last game.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will remain in the goal as Mendy is still on the sidelines. There should not be any tinkering with the backline. So Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly will take up the challenge to resist Wilfried Zaha and co. on Sunday.
Marc Cucurella should replace Lewis Hall in the left wing-back section, while Cesar Azpilicueta should keep his place on the right. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho will likely share the midfield duties and will have to cope with the pressure in the middle of the pitch.
Felix showed willingness to create something in the final third. But his absence will pave the way for Hakim Ziyech to replicate something similar. Mason Mount will have another opportunity to showcase some purpose, while Kai Havertz will take the most advanced position.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Kepa; Chalobah, Koulibaly, Silva; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Cucurella; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are well shaped as far as the injuries are concerned. Except for Nathan Ferguson and James McArthur, Patrick Vieira will have ample players to select from against Chelsea on Sunday.
The usual centre-back pairing of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen will be tasked to stop the Chelsea attack. Tyrick Mitchell’s availability should boost them. And the Englishman will take his place on the left, with Nathaniel Clyne shifting to his original position.
💪🎙#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 13, 2023
A double pivot of Cheick Doucoure and Luka Milivojevic should be under consideration as an extra layer of protection. And Michael Olise will provide the attacking depth to the midfield, with Jeffrey Schlupp on the bench.
Wilfried Zaha has been a menace for Chelsea and he will lead the line for Crystal Palace. Finally, Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze will be the wide attackers. So Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta will be backup options on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Olise, Doucoure, Milivojevic; Ayew, Zaha, Eze
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won their last ten Premier League games against Crystal Palace. In their league history they have only ever won more consecutively against West Bromwich Albion (12 between 1989 and 2011), and Sunderland (11 between 2002 and 2010).
- Crystal Palace have conceded at least once in each of their last 17 Premier League games against Chelsea. Only against Liverpool (a current run of 19) have they gone longer without a clean sheet in the competition.
- Chelsea have lost three of their last six home London derbies in the Premier League, including their only one under Graham Potter so far (0-1 vs Arsenal). The only Chelsea manager to lose his first two league London derby matches at Stamford Bridge was Tommy Docherty, who lost his first three in the 1961/62 campaign.
- No side has lost more games (4) or won fewer points (4) in Premier League London derby matches than Crystal Palace this season. However, they won their last such away match 2-1 against West Ham, last winning consecutive away top-flight London derbies in November 1997 (3 in a row).
- Only Darwin Nunez (19) has had more shot-ending carries (moving 5+ metres with the ball) in the Premier League this season than Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (18), whose three goals following carries in 2022/23 is a joint-high in the division. Zaha has also had 37 carries with a take-on; only Gabriel Martinelli (39) has had more in the Premier League this term.
Player to Watch
Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha has the ability to inflict damage on any team if he is on song. The former Manchester United forward incidentally scored the winning goal when Crystal Palace last registered a victory over Chelsea in the Premier League back in 2017.
Interestingly, Chelsea are one of the clubs showing an interest in the experience Crystal Palace attacker. And a memorable performance against the Blues might attract them and the other suitors over a summer move. For now, though, Zaha will be focused on the task at hand this weekend.
Prediction
Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace
Chelsea still have an edge for their squad strength, but Crystal Palace have shown they have the ability to upset stronger teams. However, the Blues will be banking on their home comfort once again, capitalising on Palace’s underwhelming away run.
That said, Chelsea do not have enough offensive quality to overcome the Eagles. So The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, extending the west Londoners’ forgettable run of results.
