Team news
- Chelsea
Kovacic and Tomori remain on the sidelines as they continue to gain form, while N'Golo Kante is ruled out because of a hamstring injury at least until Sheffield United clash.
Palace are expected to be without defender James Tomkins and midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp. It's also unlikely that Martin Kelly will be available.
📋 Head to Head(via BBC)
- Chelsea have won their last four games against Crystal Palace, including a 2-0 victory in November's reverse fixtures.
- Palace have recorded just four victories in 21 previous Premier League matches against the Blues (D2, L15).
- The Eagles' first league win under Roy Hodgson was a 2-1 home victory over Chelsea in October 2017.
⚽ Probable line-up (via Tribuna.com)
🔮 Score predictions
- Barney Corkhill, Sportsmole: Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea have won the last four editions of this fixture and have scored two or more goals in nine of their last 10 Premier League games, and we can see both runs extending here.
Palace's form has dropped off dramatically after passing the 40-point mark, whereas Chelsea know that almost every match is now must-win for them with Man United in such fine form behind them.
- Tom Doyle, Evening Standard: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
With Palace losing three on the spin, Chelsea will fancy their chances. The visitors should pick up three points but Lampard's side have struggled for consistency this term, so it could be closer than first thought.
💬 Quotes from the managers
- Frank Lampard, Chelsea
[On the battle for top-4 with Man United]
“They’re closest, they’re a very strong team, they’re in great form for a long period of time. They have got really good individual players. You have seen the momentum they have gained across their front three, all scoring, lots of goals.
"They’re the biggest threat from behind, but this is the Premier League. It looks that way today, but it’s how each team finishes the season.”
- Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace
“They a very, very good team with many, many good players and, irrespective of our own position in this moment in time, all we can do is prepare for it, get ready for it and look forward to it – I do look forward to it, and I know all the players are looking forward to the game.
"I know we will do our best, work very hard and make life as difficult for them as possible. But we 100% aware of all the challenges, with the quality that they have, that they’re going to present us.”
