Graham Potter looking to avoid unwanted 61-year record for Chelsea against Crystal Palace

Graham Potter will be looking to avoid an unwanted 61-year record when Chelsea square off against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

The Englishman is coming under pressure at Stamford Bridge having guided the Blues to just one win in their last nine Premier League fixtures.

As a result, the West Londoners find themselves down in 10th position in the standings, as many as 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

Furthermore, Chelsea have also been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, albeit to Manchester City on both occasions.

Nevertheless, there is increasing scrutiny on Potter, despite frequent claims that the club's owners are not considering parting ways with a man who they appointed as their head coach as recently as September.

If results go their way over the weekend, there is scope for Chelsea either moving into eighth spot or level on points with Liverpool, with the latter arguably being an indication that Potter's side are not the only high-profile team who have struggled this campaign.

© Reuters

However, when Chelsea play Palace at their home ground this weekend, Potter is susceptible to ending a 61-year streak which has been set by the previous managers or head coaches at the club.

The only time that a Chelsea manager has lost his opening two home London derbies came in 1961-62 when Tommy Docherty was in charge, his side losing three times in succession.

Potter's first fixture fitting such criteria came in November as Chelsea succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Chelsea also head into the game having lost three of their last six London derbies, while they were twice pegged back by Tottenham Hotspur in a dramatic showdown on the second weekend of this season.

On a more positive note, Chelsea are bidding to win their 11th successive fixture against Palace, while the Eagles have conceded in 17 top-flight games in a row versus their next opponents.

There has also not been a draw in a league game between these two teams since 1995, a period spanning 23 encounters.