England Premier League
Sunday 15th January 2023
Kick off at 2pm GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Match Preview:
Chelsea come into this game under pressure and certainly their manager Graham Potter is, for now his tenure at the club isn’t working out. In an ideal world Potter would be given time but time isn’t something afforded at the big clubs and if he doesn’t turn around form soon his job could well be under threat.
The Blues are in 10th place and are 10 points adrift of a top 4 finish and have played a game extra than the team currently in 4th in Manchester United. It’s two defeats in a row coming into this one with losses against Manchester City and Fulham and City also knocked Potters side out of the FA Cup. Apart from the win over Bournemouth since the restart this has been a nightmare period for Chelsea. The latest loss came against neighbours Fulham a side that rarely beat Chelsea and to make matters worse new star loan signing Joao Felix was sent off and now he misses the next 3 games.
Crystal Palace are in 12th but would join Chelsea on the same points with a win, although because of goal difference they wouldn’t be able to go past them. Palace were beaten 4-0 at home to Tottenham in their last game in a blow for the Eagles and indeed recent form has not been good with 3 defeats from their last four games. On the road it’s just 2 wins from 8 although they have drawn another three and they have also won 2 of their last 3 trips beating West Ham and Bournemouth.
Team News:
Chelsea: Joao Felix is suspended for the next 3 games after his red card against Fulham. Denis Zakara looks to be the newest casualty as he has a knock and is only 50/50 to return. The following players are all missing for Potter’s side: Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Armando Broja.
Crystal Palace: Nathan Ferguson continues to have fitness issues and remain a doubt. James McArthur is sidelined with a hip injury.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Head to Head:
The teams last played here last year in the FA Cup where Chelsea won 2-0.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Chelsea won 2-1.
Chelsea have won the last 11 meetings in a row.
It’s been 5 years since Crystal Palace beat Chelsea.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Prediction:
There is a lot of pressure on Graham Potter but one has to have sympathy with him given the Blues injury list and most are key players. Still despite that Chelsea can field a lot of quality and this game can certainly be their bounce back game. Crystal Palace when on their game can be a tough opponent but they haven’t been convincing enough on the road and in recent form they have really dipped, this really could be the perfect opponent for a down on your luck Chelsea side.
We talk about managerial pressure and perhaps Patrick Vieira is feeling it too. Vieira has made Palace a stable and at times very hard side to beat, but weren’t Palace that before he arrived? The French legend has not advanced his side and if things go stale quick he could be looking for a new job. However in this game there will be less pressure on him and his team to deliver, playing Chelsea away from home is still a hard ask.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips:
Chelsea to beat Crystal Palace at 1.62
Anytime goalscorer: Kai Havertz at 3.00
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