Chelsea have won two straight games against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and aim for their third in succession on Sunday. The Blues sit fourth in the Premier League following their 2-1 win over Watford on Boxing Day.
Eden Hazard’s second half penalty not only gave Chelsea all three points, but it gave him 100 career goals as a member of the club. Crystal Palace are undefeated in their last three matches having defeated Leicester and Manchester City before drawing with Cardiff in midweek.
Crystal Palace have won two of their last six meetings with Chelsea in the league. Those wins came during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. The Eagles form will make Chelsea’s trip to Selhurst Park a tricky one. Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in their last three league home matches in Premier League outscoring opponents 3-0.
Roy Hodgson hasn’t got a lot of scoring from his players this term as the team has scored the third fewest goals (17) in the league. Hodgson’s team has only allowed 25 goals, the seventh fewest. It is the team’s -8-goal difference that has kept them out of the relegation zone.
Chelsea have allowed the third fewest goals in the league (16). Maurizio Sarri’s team has adapted well to his style of play. However, the squad is still learning to play Sarri-ball consistently. Chelsea still need a No. 9 as Alvaro Morata has failed to solidify his place in the starting XI. Hazard remains the Blues’ top player as he has scored 10 goals and tallied nine assists.
The Blues have seen over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last six away league games. Crystal Palace do not score many goals. The Eagles have seen fewer than 2.5 goals scored in nine of their last 10 home games.
Sarri is facing injury worries following Chelsea’s Boxing Day win over Watford. Pedro was removed during the first half against Watford and he could miss Sunday’s game. Callum Hudson-Odoi replaced Pedro but had to be removed in the second half due to an injury of his own. Morata is back in training, but Sarri chose not to select the Spaniard against Watford. The striker is out of favour and could be sold in January. Andreas Christensen is also out with a hamstring injury leaving Chelsea a little light in the centre-back position.
Crystal Palace won’t be a pushover, but Chelsea do have the talent to get all three points. The Blues are the Sportsbooks’ favourite and with Hazard in such great form, will take all three points at Selhurst Park.