Chelsea will seek to continue their good run of form as they host a side who they’ve struggled against in recent seasons in Crystal Palace. Chelsea are the only top flight English team that is still unbeaten in all competitions and they are coming into this game as huge favourites meanwhile Palace have not lived up to their potential yet this season but have shown signs of life after snatching a draw and ending Arsenal’s win streak last week so they can’t be underestimated here.
Key Facts
Chelsea have a 12W 3D 0L record in 15 games in all competitions.
Chelsea have been red hot scoring 15 goals in their last 5 games.
Ross Barkley has scored 3 goals and provided 3 goals in his last 3 league apps for Chelsea. Man in form.
Chelsea have scored 9 goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season in the league.
Chelsea are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge since 1st April. A run of 11 unbeaten home games in all competitions. 7W 4D
Chelsea have the third best defensive record in the league with 7 goals conceded. They’ve kept 5 league clean sheets in 10 games.
Chelsea have been dominant against bottom 10 sides this season winning 5, drawing 1 and losing none beating them by an average of 2.3 goals.
Maurizio Sarri became the first Chelsea manager to go unbeaten in first 10 Premier League games last week.
6 of Crystal Palace 8 points this season have come in away games. Their only 2 wins have been away from home.
Crystal Palace have the tied 2nd worst goal scoring record with 7 goals in 10 games.
Crystal Palace have conceded 2 goals in the first half of games, however they’ve conceded 11 in the second half of games.
Crystal Palace are winless in 5 in all competitions. 4L 1D. Poor form.
Crystal Palace have had success playing against Chelsea winning 3 of their last 6 meetings against them. They’ve won in 2 of their previous 3 visits at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace have the 2nd most under 2.5 goal games in the league this season with 7. Their games on average only have 2 goals.
Team News
Chelsea: Chelsea have been given good news as star man Eden Hazard is set to return. However Eden is not expected to play much and could even come off the bench here. Sarri fielded a back up side with the exception of Willian and Morata during midweek against Derby in a 3-2 win so most 1st team players will be feeling fresh coming into this game. Ross Barkley is expected to return into the starting line-up while Loftus-Cheek will be hoping to get a start himself after hitting some really good form.
Crystal Palace: Connor Wickham, Scott Dann, Benteke and Joel Ward are all absent for Palace however Wilfred Zaha is expected to play as he’s been deemed fit after missing out the game in midweek against Middlesbrough in the cup. Palace have been incredibly woeful when Zaha doesn’t play so they’ll be hoping that their star man can indeed feature this weekend.
Betting Tips and Predictions
Chelsea should obviously come out as winners here but this game shouldn’t be as easy as some may think. Palace have been a tough opposition for Chelsea, they’ve always seem to have given them a run for their money and this could be the same despite their lack of form. Under 3.0 goals is our pick for this match. Palace are not likely to score here because their attack is woeful this season but we do anticipate them to make it hard on Chelsea to score. Palace are the best bottom 10 defensive side because they’re well drilled and organised which is why we don’t see this is as a drubbing. At most we can see Chelsea winning this game 2-0, they’ll go and do a professional job to take the 3 points. A bet that’s worth the try is Chelsea to score in the final 15 minutes. They very often seem to do that this season.
Match Odds (TonyBet)
Chelsea Win – 1.30
Draw – 6.00
Crystal Palace Win – 11.00
KICK OFF - 4th November 2018 – 4pm UK Time
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