Chelsea will secure their fourth Premier League crown if they can earn three points against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Palace are safe from relegation but with just a two-point deficit to 10th place, the club will be motivated to finish in the top half of the standings.
Chelsea
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After scoring just three goals from open play in four games, Chelsea were taunted about their style of play towards the end of their 0-0 draw with Arsenal last Sunday, but envious eyes will be on Stamford Bridge this weekend as they attempt to win the Premier League title.
Jose Mourinho has never been one to worry too much about the performances of his team providing that they win points in what is a result-orientated business, and that approach should see him end the season with two trophies to his name.
Even if Chelsea suffered defeat at the Emirates Stadium, they would have still been favourites to win the title, but the point, which was followed by exaggerated celebrations, sent a message out to their rivals that they have almost got the job done.
They went into Wednesday's fixture at Leicester City still requiring six points from their final five fixtures, but that became three points from four games after a second-half fightback at the King Power Stadium.
After Didier Drogba had equalised, captain John Terry notched his seventh goal of the season and the centre-back has led from the front in recent weeks to ensure that his team have moved to the brink of glory.
They will want to cap the season off in style, but whether they grind out a 1-0 win or run riot against a Palace side who haven't kept a clean sheet since February 7, it will be irrelevant providing that they can register the three points that they require to cap a dominant campaign.
Recent form: WWWWDW
Crystal Palace
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When Alan Pardew arrived at Selhurst Park in January, he would have been delighted to have secured their Premier League status with half a dozen games still remaining, but their success could have hindered their efforts to finish the season in positive fashion.
After putting together four successive wins, Pardew publicly announced that he had altered the club's targets and that there was little reason why they shouldn't achieve a top-10 position, but home defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Hull City have threatened to derail a club who were seemingly on the up.
Victories in those fixtures would have seen Palace occupy ninth position, so Pardew's call to register their highest finish in recent memory is perhaps justified, but they need to go back to basics in order to avoid wasting their earlier work.
Their next three fixtures see them take on Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, but that could be what they need to rediscover their form. Their best performances have come when considered underdogs and they will be playing without pressure when they make the short trip to Stamford Bridge.
Pardew will hope that Glenn Murray can impose himself against Terry and Gary Cahill, while Yannick Bolasie is likely to be given a free role to try to create something in the final third.
It is in defence where they may struggle though, and that area of the pitch requires improvement if Pardew is going to establish the Eagles as a mid-table side in the top flight.
Recent form: WWWWLL
Team News
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Mourinho has revealed that he won't risk the fitness of striker Diego Costa, who has been absent with a thigh injury since the start of April.
Costa is nearing a return, but Mourinho has stated that the return of Loic Remy means that the former Atletico Madrid man can continue his recovery.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to return in goal after dropping out against Leicester because of a hip problem.
Pardew could welcome back Joel Ward if the full-back has recovered from a shin injury.
Midfielder Joe Ledley could earn a recall in place of Jason Puncheon if Pardew opts for a defensive look to his engine room.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Drogba
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Speroni; Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Jedinak, McArthur; Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie; Murray
Head To Head
Chelsea have had the better of the games played between the two sides, with the Blues recording 13 victories in 25 games compared to just three for Palace.
Palace also possess the record of never having won at Stamford Bridge, but they have drawn five times in 12 visits to the Blues.
In October, Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners at Selhurst Park thanks to goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas.
We say: Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace
Pardew will expect more from his side after a dismal outing against Hull City, but Stamford Bridge is the wrong place to go when you need to get back to winning ways. With the title at stake, we expect Chelsea to run out convincing winners.
Darren Plant
