Chelsea v Crystal Palace Preview: One more win

Chelsea can wrap up its first Premier League trophy in five years with a win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.

A victory for the Blues would see them clinch their first league and domestic cup double since Carlo Ancelotti guided the team to both league and FA Cup glory in 2010.

Although the south-west Londoners are unbeaten at home this season, an upset is not out of the question. The Eagles boast the best current away record in the competition with six wins from seven matches away from Selhurst Park under Alan Pardew.

The Palace boss has a knack for getting the better of Chelsea. He has won four of his last six league meetings with the Blues, the most recent being a 1-0 victory at home in March last season.

The 3-1 triumph over Leicester City during midweek was the first time the Blues have won by more than a single goal since 1 March, highlighting the league leaders’ recent bluntness in attack. However, the ‘boring’ would-be champions won’t care about any statistics bar the league table if they manage to claim all three points on Sunday afternoon.

Last Five Meetings

Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea (League, October 2014)
Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea (League, March 2014)
Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace (League, December 2013)
Chelsea 4-1 Crystal Palace (League, March 2005)
Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea (League, August 2004)

Chelsea Form

(W) Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea
(D) Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
(W) Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
(W) Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Chelsea
(W) Chelsea 2-1 Stoke

Crystal Palace Form

(L) Crystal Palace 0-2 Hull City
(L) Crystal Palace 0-2 West Brom
(W) Sunderland 1-4 Crystal Palace
(W) Crystal Palace 2-1 Manchester City
(W) Stoke City 1-2 Crystal Palace

Chelsea Team News

Thibaut Courtois will likely resume his place between the sticks after recovering from a hip problem saw that him miss the 3-1 win over Leicester City during midweek.

Loïc Remy has been passed fit and ready to lead the line again.

Jose Mourinho will not risk Diego Costa, who is still nursing a hamstring injury that could keep him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

Crystal Palace Team News

Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh are both ruled out with hamstring injuries while fullback Joel Ward could be available should he shake off a shin injury.

Probable Lineups

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Oscar, Hazard,
Remy

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Souare, Jedinak, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Murray

Score Prediction

What I wouldn’t give to be standing in the Shed End today. I’m confident the opportunity to seal the title in front of the Bridge can spur us on to pick up three points, regardless of our toothless performances in front of goal recently. Palace on the other hand, who hasn’t beaten us at home in 33 years, is safe from the drop and has little left to play for. 2-0 to Chelsea.

What are your score predictions?