Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Preview, Live stream and TV channel info, Team News, Prediction, Betting odds

Modified Jan 03, 2016 06:47 GMT

Guus Hiddink will need a vastly improved performance from his side to come away with anything from Selhurst Park

Chelsea face a difficult away trip to Crystal Palace in their first game of 2016. The Blues managed a draw in their last game against Manchester United at Old Trafford while Crystal Palace too played out a goalless draw against Swansea at Selhurst Park.

Guus Hiddink’s team are currently 16th in the Premier League table and are desperate to see some results go their way while the Eagles are 7th in the league and are unbeaten in the last 6 league games.

Crystal Palace earlier beat Chelsea 2-1 in the reverse fixture, but will be without their top scorer Yohan Cabaye. On the other hand, Diego Costa is back for Chelsea from suspension.

Kickoff and Telecast

Channel: Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD1

Live stream: Star Sports

Date and Time: Sunday, January 3rd, 2016 – 19:00 IST

Venue: Selhurst Park

Team News

Crystal Palace

The Eagles will be without their top goalscorer Yohan Cabaye, who is suspended for the game while Patrick Bamford has been recalled by Chelsea. Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham are ruled out due to a muscle strain while Dwight Gayle and Bakary Sako are struggling with a hamstring injury. Marouane Chamakh is lacking match fitness so Fraizer Campbell is expected to start up front.

Chelsea

Falcao is the only injury concern for Chelsea, who is out with a thigh injury. Diego Costa is expected to start up front after returning from suspension, with Oscar just behind him. Eden Hazard and Willian are also likely to start while Matic and Mikel might once again start in the midfield. The defensive pairing of John Terry and Kurt Zouma might be preferred once again as Cahill is doubtful for the game.

Probable Lineups

Crystal Palace(4-2-3-1): Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Jedinak, McArthur; Zaha, Mutch, Puncheon; Campbell

Chelsea(4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Matic, Mikel; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa

Form

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last 5 games in the Premier League. They have won two out of them against Southampton at home, and away to Stoke City. They managed a draw against Everton at Goodison Park while their last two games against Bournemouth and Swansea ended in a goalless draw. They have conceded just two goals in their last 5 games while scoring four goals.

Last 5 matches: D-W-W-D-D(Last match: Crystal Palace 0-0 Swansea)

Chelsea

The visitors have won just one in their last 5 league games while losing two of them. Their only win came against relegation-threatened Sunderland while they lost against Leicester City and Bournemouth. Guus Hiddink’s side managed to draw their last two games against Watford and Manchester United. They have conceded six goals in their last 5 games while scoring six goals as well.

Last 5 matches: L-L-W-D-D(Last Match: Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea)

Key Stats

Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Chelsea.
In the last five games between the London rivals, Crystal Palace have won two, while Chelsea have won three of them, and all of the games have been won by a one goal margin.
Guus Hiddink has lost just one of his 15 Premier League games as manager of Chelsea.
The Blues have scored just 7 goals in their last 8 Premier League London derbies.
Chelsea have lost 5 of their last 8 games against teams managed by Alan Pardew.

Key Battles

Diego Costa vs Scott Dann

Diego Costa scored two goals in his last game against Watford before getting suspended for the game against Manchester United. The 27-year-old looked in good touch against Watford and will be itching to get on the scoresheet again. Scott Dann should not take Costa lightly, despite his average performances this season.

Dann should not give him too much room inside the penalty box, and should be aware of his aerial abilities too. Costa will also have to be at his best to score against a side who have just conceded two goals in their last 5 games.

Eden Hazard vs Joel Ward

Needless to say, the Belgian international has been in poor form this season but showed glimpses of old form against Manchester United. Hazard hasn’t scored for a while now, but Joel Ward can’t afford to allow him too much space and time on the ball.

Joel Ward has been brilliant for Crystal Palace this season and is a key member of Alan Pardew’s team. Eden Hazard will be hoping to build on from the last game, and get the old confidence back.