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Chelsea FC – Crystal Palace
The football fans are really spoiled these days, because in addition to the re-start of the 3rd league, there is also football from the Premier League to marvel at. The last weekend was dominated by the FA Cup and in these days the league is again about important points. On Sunday there will be another duel in the capital London. The Blues of Chelsea FC welcome the Eagles of Crystal Palace. Both teams are currently struggling and you can find out who could be ahead in our Chelsea – Crystal Palace tip.
For the Blues from London, however, the house is in a real mess. Since the change of coach from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter, nothing has gone right for the multiple English champions. Chelsea are currently only in tenth place and are already ten points behind the international teams. Their upcoming opponents Crystal Palace are only three points behind the Blues in eleventh place with 22 points. With a win, the Eagles could catch up with Chelsea.
Chelsea – Crystal Palace info:
– Date & Time: 15/01/2023, 15:00.
– Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 20
– TV broadcast: Sky
Chelsea Form & Balance Check
The Blues from London are playing a season that nobody really expected before. The Londoners were one of the teams that invested the most money in the summer. Really not much has come around so far. First, Thomas Tuchel had to take his hat off to the Blues, and things are far from going smoothly under his successor Graham Potter. Last Sunday, Chelsea had to face Manchester City and were without a chance against the Sky Blues right from the start.
The Blues were already 3-0 down at half-time and the final score was 4-0. Many fans vented their frustration and sang about a possible return of Tuchel to the Chelsea FC bench. The next setback also occurred during the week. The Blues lost the derby against the promoted Fulham with 1:2.
Will Felix be the hopeful?
The Blues know about their current situation and especially the attack is the well-known problem area of Chelsea FC. The aforementioned 21 goals are a frightening record when we consider the kind of players Chelsea have in their attack. During the week, the new hopeful was signed. Joao Felix arrived from Madrid for a loan fee of €10 million and the Portuguese is expected to relieve Kai Havertz on the wing, allowing the German international to move into the centre. In addition to the ineptitude in attack, the Blues admittedly have some injury worries. For example, Kante, Chilwell, Pulisic, Sterling and James are all out.
Chelsea facts & analysis
– Chelsea are 10th in the table with 25 points.
– The Blues have now won one of their last seven games
– Chelsea last lost 2-1 to Fulham
Crystal Palace form & balance check
Things are truly not going well for Crystal Palace’s Eagles this season either. Patrick Viera’s team is only in twelfth place in the table and the Londoners actually wanted to attack further up the table this year and perhaps even set their sights on the international places. If we take a closer look at Palace’s current form, there is not much to suggest that the Eagles will be involved in international competition next year. Not only are they six points behind sixth-placed Fulham FC, but they have only won two of their last six games.
What happens to Zaha?
A lot stands and falls with star player Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace. The man from the Ivory Coast is the all-dominant personnel at the Eagles. The winger’s contract is due to expire in the summer and at the moment there is hardly any indication that he will extend it again. Palace are therefore faced with the question of whether to sell him in the winter or let him go in the summer without paying a fee. With six goals and two assists, the 30-year-old is by far Crystal Palace’s top scorer. However, his form curve is also pointing downwards. He has now gone four games without scoring a goal.
Crystal Palace facts & analysis
– Palace are 12th in the table with 22 points.
– Only 2 wins from their last 6 games
– Last lost 2-1 to Southampton
Predicted line-up – last update on 15 January 2023
The Blues will have to watch, especially on the offensive end, to find the right players in the first place. In addition to long-term injuries such as James, Chilwell, Kante or even Fofana, Sterling and Pulisic also joined them after the 0:1 defeat against Man City. Both will be missing in the coming weeks. After the 1-2 defeat against Fulham, Potter will have to do without the suspended Felix on Sunday. Zakaria is also questionable. With regard to Sunday’s match, it will come down to a 4-2-1-3. Havertz will play as the only top player up front.
Upcoming opponents Crystal Palace have all their players out except for Nathan Ferguson. Coach Viera will go with a 4-3-3. Edouard, Zaha and Awey will play up front.
Chelsea – Crystal Palace Direct comparison & Statistics
Both teams have faced each other in 58 games so far and Chelsea are clearly ahead with 32 wins. Palace won eleven games and in addition there are 15 draws.
– Both teams have not won their last match in the Premier League.
– Chelsea FC score an average of 1.5 goals in home matches and Crystal Palace score an average of 1.16 goals in away matches
– The winner of the last encounter was Chelsea FC
– Crystal Palace have not won any of their last 11 duels against Chelsea FC
