Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :December 25, 2023 at 3:52 PM

Modified at :December 27, 2023 at 5:59 PM

The Eagles looking to scavenge a point or three off a troubled Chelsea

The Molineux Stadium trip for Chelsea ended in misery. The hosts, Wolverhampton Wanderers won 2-1 to hand Mauricio Pochettino’s men 8th defeat of the Premier League season. This leaves the Blues standing at 10th in the table. Now they will gear up for a clash against visitors from South London.

Crystal Palace did the unthinkable at Etihad Stadium on 16 December. Coming from 2-0 down against the treble winners, Manchester City, to make it 2-2 is a feat of high order. Their matchday 18 venture was to deal with Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton. The Eagles managed to get a point off them as well.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 27 December 2023 at 7:30 PM UK

Thursday, 28 December 2023 at 1:00 AM IST

Location: Stamford Bridge

Form

Chelsea (in all competitions): L-W-W-L-L

Crystal Palace (in all competitions): D-D-L-L-D

Players to Watch

Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)

Probably the time has come. Given wingers Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer will be suspended for this game, the team depth is less with very little room to manoeuvre. Mauricio Pochettino will have to use the former RB Leipzig man as a starter. Christopher Nkunku’s PL debut as a substitute was promising in which the player netted his first goal of the league as well.

Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

A hamstring injury was keeping the talisman out of action in the English first tier. Michael Olise made his return on matchday 12 against Everton and is now a consistent part of the starting lineup. This match will give the winger a chance to show what the Blues missed out on in the transfer market. Olise assisted Jordan Ayew’s goal against Brighton last time out.

Match Facts

After 18 league fixtures, Chelsea sit 10th with 22 points and visitors sit 15th with 18 points
Even after this fixture, the Blues at best will be at 10th or could further drop in the standings. Wolves, AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and Brentford, are all looking to pounce on any mistake
Only bottom-placed Sheffield United have scored a lesser number of goals than Crystal Palace this PL season

Injury & Team News

Not only did the visit to Molineux end as a defeat, but it had created further complications. Both Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer picked their fifth yellow card of the PL season. And thus will serve a one-match suspension. Christopher Nkunku should get his first start. And the injury list remains lengthy.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and striker Odsonne Edouard remain doubtful to be on the Eagles teamsheet because of injuries. Winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is speeding up his recovery to make it by the end of the month. Rob Holding, Nathan Ferguson and Cheick Oumar Doucouré remain sidelined.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 22

Chelsea wins – 18

Crystal Palace wins – 4

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineup

Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Petrović (GK); Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Gallagher; Mudryk, Jackson, Nkunku; Broja

Crystal Palace predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Henderson (GK); Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Richards, Hughes; Olise, Mateta, J. Ayew

Match Prediction for Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Chelsea have too many injuries and squad depth concerns. Even if the squad is talented, now they are lacking the number of players available. Crystal Palace have had a good result in the last two games, considering they got a point off Man City and Brighton. The visitors are looking for more surely. Roy Hodgson’s men can win this one.

Prediction: Chelsea 0-1 Crystal Palace

Telecast for Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

India – Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar

UK – Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon Prime Video

US – NBC, USA Network, Peacock

Nigeria – SuperSport, NTA, Canal+ Afrique

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