Chelsea host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. The Blues will be desperate for a result after losing 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Chelsea can’t move up the table but are at risk of falling into the bottom half if they lose.
Palace are in dire straits as they’ve been in poor form for weeks while slipping closer to the relegation zone. The Eagles are on a seven-game winless run and have only one away victory in two months. Palace haven’t beaten Chelsea in any competition for six years either, so history isn’t on their side.
Chelsea strong at home despite poor form
Chelsea are 10th in the league with 22 points from 18 games, having lost three of their last four. They’ve been beaten by Everton and Wolves in December, so they’re struggling against sides below them in the table.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are in better form at home, however, with two wins and a draw from their previous three league outings. They’ve taken points off Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City this season, so Chelsea should back themselves.
The Blues are coming off the back of three consecutive home wins ahead of Wednesday’s clash too.
Palace in relegation form
Palace are 15th with 18 points from 18 games, closer to the relegation zone (six points) than 9th (nine points). Only Sheffield United (13) have fewer goals (18) than Palace, and only Odsonne Edouard has more than two league goals.
The Eagles haven’t won a league game since early-November too, losing four and drawing three of their last seven. Roy Hodgson’s men only have one league win since September, so they are in woeful form.
The Eagles are without a win in their last three away games too, so they’re vulnerable on the road.
Chelsea dominate this fixture
This is a fixture Chelsea have dominated down the years, so Pochettino may be quietly confident.
The last time Palace beat the Blues anywhere was in October 2017 (2-1 at Selhurst Park).
Chelsea have won their last 12 head-to-heads with Palace, scoring 28 goals and conceding only six.
The Eagles only have wins at Stamford Bridge since 1982s, so will Wednesday’s clash go the hosts’ way?
