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Chelsea logo
Premier League
Aug 29, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Crystal Palace logo

1-2

Falcao (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Sako (65'), Ward (81')

Preview: Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace

Sports Mole looks ahead to this weekend's Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

Chelsea will be looking to win their first home match of the season when they welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge this weekend.

The Blues failed to win their opening two games before coming out on top against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, while their opponents have enjoyed an impressive start and have won two of their three Premier League fixtures.


Chelsea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho surveys the scene ahead of the game with Man City on August 16, 2015© Getty Images

Chelsea's shaky start to the new season has been well documented, with their opening-day draw to Swansea City followed up by a crushing 3-0 defeat to title rivals Manchester City.

They travelled to West Brom last weekend in a bid to turn their fortunes around, and it appeared that they would suffer more misery after conceding an early penalty.

However, James Morrison saw his spot kick saved by Thibaut Courtois, and the Blues quickly took charge with Pedro scoring and setting up a goal for Diego Costa on his debut.

Morrison then pulled a goal back for the Baggies, before Cesar Azpilicueta restored Chelsea's two-goal advantage before the break. In the second half a red card for John Terry and a second goal for Morrison put the Blues under heavy pressure late on, but they managed to see out the game and claim a 3-2 victory to get back to winning ways.

The performance of Pedro in his first start for Chelsea since joining from Barcelona was widely praised, but their defensive display left critics unimpressed, and many feel that Terry could be nearing the end of his career with the club, after failing to reproduce his form of last season.

Jose Mourinho has been trying to improve his defence over the summer and the Blues have had numerous bids rejected for Everton defender John Stones. The 21-year-old seems to have had his head turned, though, and this week the Toffees have rejected his transfer request.

Recent form: DLW


Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew manager of Crystal Palace waves to the crowd prior to the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at Boleyn Ground on February 28, 2015© Getty Images

Palace manager Alan Pardew must be pleased with the start that his team have made to the season, after two wins from their opening three Premier League matches.

The Eagles got off to a winning start by claiming a 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Norwich City, before an own goal from Damien Delaney saw them slip to a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in their next outing.

They bounced back to form last weekend as debutant Bakary Sako struck late on to give them a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

The club have now won four of their last five league games and fans will be hoping that they can maintain their good run and achieve a second successive top-half finish.

However, the Eagles could have some tired legs as they travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend, after needing extra time to beat Shrewsbury Town in the second round of the League Cup.

Recent form: WLWW


Team News

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (C) runs with the ball in the build up to scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England on August 23, 20© Getty Images

Chelsea are without the suspended Terry, so Gary Cahill will return to the back four to partner Kurt Zouma.

Oscar could also miss out through injury, but Pedro should keep his place in the side after his impressive debut last weekend.

Meanwhile, Sako is expected to start for Palace after his match-winning performance against Aston Villa.

Glenn Murray could also retain his place up front, with Connor Wickham struggling with a rib injury, but on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford is ineligible to feature against his parent club.

A hamstring injury is expected to keep Mile Jedinak out for up to three weeks, but Yannick Bolasie should return to the squad after being given compassionate leave last weekend.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Costa

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
McCarthy, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare, McArthur, Cabaye, Zaha, Sako, Puncheon, Murray


Head To Head

Chelsea have the superior record between the teams and they have won seven of the previous eight meetings against Palace.

The Eagles lost both of their games against the Blues last season, but in March 2014 an own goal from Terry saw them claim a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park.

Prior to that win they had not beaten their London rivals in 21 years, since triumphing in a League Cup quarter-final in 1993.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



Sports Mole Logo

We say: Chelsea 3-1 Crystal Palace

The Blues have not been at their best in the early weeks of the season, but they showed glimpses of their quality against West Brom last weekend. Meanwhile, Palace will be full of confidence after their start and they will fancy their chances of an upset at Stamford Bridge. However, we think that Chelsea will have too much strength in their attack and should pick up the three points.



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Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on August 23, 2015
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