Chelsea Seeks Advantage in London Derby against Injury-Hit Crystal Palace at Selhurst
Chelsea will face injury-hit Crystal Palace tonight in a highly anticipated London derby at Selhurst Park. After a stunning performance in the FA Cup last week, where they defeated Aston Villa 3-1, the Blues are looking to carry their momentum into the Premier League.
The match against Villa showcased Chelsea’s potential as they dominated the game, going 3-0 up early in the second half. The team displayed fluidity and control, which they hope to replicate in their upcoming league matches. This is especially important for Chelsea as they aim to bounce back from recent losses to Liverpool and Wolves.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace finds themselves slipping into a relegation dogfight and are dealing with multiple injury concerns. One key player who will be sorely missed is Michael Olise. Despite only starting eight Premier League games this season due to injuries, Olise has been instrumental in helping Palace secure eight points on his own. His performances in matches against Brentford and Sheffield United were exceptional, directly contributing to five goals and ensuring victories for the Eagles.
Unfortunately, Olise now faces another two months out due to injury, which could have a significant impact on Palace’s pursuit of safety. The 22-year-old winger has been outstanding every time he has played, and his absence will be felt by the team.
Chelsea has a historical advantage over Crystal Palace, having won their last 12 Premier League encounters. This winning streak is the longest losing run for Palace against any opponent in their league history. The Blues will be looking to extend this record and secure another victory against their London rivals.
Crystal Palace, however, has shown some promise in their recent home games. They have won their last two home league matches, scoring three goals in each. Their last three-game winning streak at Selhurst Park in the Premier League was in October 2022. This indicates that Palace has the ability to challenge their opponents, and Chelsea will need to be cautious.
Both teams will be dealing with injury concerns heading into the match. Crystal Palace will be without key players such as Olise, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Cheick Doucoure. These absences will undoubtedly impact their performance and put them at a disadvantage against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is still missing several players, including Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, and Robert Sanchez. While some players like Levi Colwill may be available, others like Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah remain doubtful.
Chelsea’s recent form has been less than stellar, with back-to-back losses in the league, conceding four goals in each match. However, the team has shown resilience when starting in the bottom half of the table, winning six out of their last seven games. This suggests that they have the ability to perform well against Crystal Palace and secure a much-needed victory.
Ahead of the game, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his belief that the team’s performance against Aston Villa can inspire them for the rest of the season. He emphasized the importance of consistency and stated that the team needs to approach every game with the same determination and focus.
On the other side, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has a poor record against Chelsea, having lost 16 Premier League games against them. He has lost his last nine encounters against the Blues, making this a challenging fixture for him and his team.
In terms of head-to-head statistics, Pochettino has won 12 out of his 14 Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace, more than any other opponent. However, Crystal Palace has won just one out of six matches this season when both Eze and Olise were absent from the starting lineup.
The match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea will take place on Monday, February 12 at Selhurst Park. It promises to be an exciting clash between two London rivals, with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory.
TalkSPORT will provide live and exclusive coverage of the game, with Adrian Durham as the presenter and commentary from Sam Matterface and former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy. Fans can also follow the action through the live blog on talkSPORT.com or tune in via the talkSPORT app, DAB digital radio, smart speaker, or AM frequency 1089 or 1053.
Conclusion:
Chelsea’s clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park promises to be an intriguing London derby. Chelsea will be aiming to continue their winning streak against Palace and capitalize on their recent FA Cup victory. However, Palace’s injury concerns and recent home form suggest they won’t be an easy opponent. Both teams will need to bring their A-game to secure a crucial victory in this Premier League encounter.