Gary Cahill expects "tough" Palace encounter

Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill has said that his side are expecting "a tough encounter" when they welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge this evening.

The Blues enter the game fifth in the Premier League table, five points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, following back-to-back losses against Manchester United and Manchester City.

Roy Hodgson's side, meanwhile, arrive at the Bridge fighting for their lives in the Premier League and currently sit 18th in the table, one point from safety.

"Given our position in the league at the moment, it is hugely important that we win this game, and all the fixtures until the end of the season are vital now," Cahill wrote in his programme notes ahead of the game.

"More often than not, after a game like last Sunday's, I think the best thing for a team is to play as soon as possible, so you can change the mood, but there are times when you welcome a bit of time to work on stuff and speak about things. That's what we've looked to do this week to try and gear ourselves up for what is a very important game this evening.

"Crystal Palace come here looking for points in their own battle, so we expect a tough encounter. I've worked with Roy Hodgson, and I very much like him as a person and a manager. He will have them well organised and defensively tight as a unit, while they are blessed with a lot of trickery and pace going forward that they will look to utilise when they can.

"So we have to be mindful of that, but it's about us going and getting a win today. We have to do that to help out league position and for our confidence at the start of a huge week."

The game kicks off at Stamford Bridge at 5.30pm this evening.