Chelsea will look to follow up their stunning 6-0 triumph against Arsenal last Saturday when they travel to near neighbors Crystal Palace this weekend.
Venue: Selhurst Park Date: Saturday, 29th March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
With title rivals Liverpool moving within a mere point of Chelsea on Wednesday night, Jose Mourinho will know every game is vitally important to pick up 3 points in as his side chase the Premier League crown.
Chelsea pulled of one of the shocks of the season with their 6-0 demolishing of Arsenal last weekend and another London derby lies in wait for the Blues as they travel to Selhurst Park to face strugglers Crystal Palace.
In the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, played in mid-December, Mourinho’s men prevailed in a cagey 2-1 win with goals from Torres and Ramires either side of Chamakh’s equaliser.
However, it has been the so-called ‘lesser’ sides that have been the only downfall to Chelsea’s results this season. With just 4 losses this season, Chelsea have fallen at the hands of Everton, Newcastle, Stoke City and Aston Villa – all games that fans will have expected more from.
Saturday’s opponents Crystal Palce sit 3 points above the relegation zone and have had a rather sketchy last few games in terms of form.
It is 5 games without a win in the league for Tony Pulis’ side, but their survival hopes have certainly been boosted since the appointment of the former Stoke City boss.
Putting the frustrating evening away to Aston Villa aside, Chelsea have been in scintillating in 2014 and their defence remain the best in the league.
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o seems to have reacted incredibly positively to his manager’s comments about his age, scoring in recent games against Arsenal, Tottenham and Galatasaray.
Chelsea’s striking options have been well documented this season, but the Cameroonian appears to be Mourinho’s main man up top for the rest of the season, once the striker returns from injury.
On their last trip to Selhurst Park, during Jose Mourinho’s first season at the club, the Blues prevailed 0-2 over their London rivals to propel themselves towards their first Premier League title. Didier Drogba also scored his first of many goals for the club on the day.
This year, a result on the same ground is vital in keeping Chelsea top of the table, at least while Manchester City catch up on games missed over the course of the last two months.
Jose Mourinho will possibly look to rest a couple of key players ahead of the trip to Paris in the Champions League next Tuesday, but the Chelsea manager has previously said he picks a line-up solely on the game coming up next.
A headache for Mourinho will be who to start upfront out of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba following Samuel Eto’o’s injury sustaned against Arsenal, with neither on firing terms this season.
Ramires will continue his suspension following his red card against Aston Villa whereas Willian returns and is available for selection in the Chelsea attack.
Chelsea defense will surely remain the same and the solid midfield that dominated Arsenal last Saturday of David Luiz and Nemanja Matic look set to continue in that role together.
If players are to be rested, it will surely be in an attacking sense and that trio behind the striker. New man Mohamad Salah may have earned a starting place with his composed finish against Arsenal, and Andre Schurrle has certainly staked a place in the side with impressive performances of late.
Crystal Palace’s main threat is likely to come from wingers Jason Puncheon and Tom Ince, the latter on loan from Blackpool. Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic will need to continue their solid form in order to keep them both quiet.
Despite this, Chelsea fans will of course go into this game expecting a win that would keep them on track to stay at the summit of the table, and increase the threat of relegation onto Crystal Palace.
Chelsea fans will then cast their eye over to the evening game where title rivals Manchester City travel to Arsenal; Mourinho’s men will be hoping for an Arsenal win to peg back Manchester City in the title race.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Pre-match facts
- Chelsea have made more key passes in the Premier League this season than any other team (348)
- Eden Hazard has been fouled 85 times in the Premier League this season, more often than any other player (85)
- This is Chelsea’s fourth London Derby of the month, having played all of Fulham, Tottenham and Arsenal in March
- Chelsea have the third best away form in the league, behind title rivals Liverpool and Man City
- Crystal Palace have failed to win against Chelsea in their last four meetings
Source: Opta
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Predicted line-ups
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Marriapa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Puncheon, Dikgachoi, Jedinak, Ince; Jerome, Murray
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Luiz; Schurrle, Hazard, Willian; Torres
Final score prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea
