Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace have struggled for wins since the beginning of the year, and have failed to turn Selhurst Park into a fortress for much of the season.
- They currently sit 13th in the Premier League table after a dismal 2025/26 campaign of inconsistency, and the Eagles are unlikely to trouble the Blues on Sunday.
- The hosts have failed to win any of their last 5 matches in all competitions, including a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and a 2-1 loss to Sunderland.
- The German boss, in charge since February 2024, has installed a high-tempo, vertical 3-4-2-1 system with a transition focus.
- The wing-backs are integral to their forward momentum, and this is the sort of match where they could cause some problems with their pressing and wide attacking thrusts.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta remains their top scorer in the Premier League with 8 goals in 22 appearances.
Chelsea
- The Blues occupy 6th place after taking 34 points from 22 Premier League games, keeping them in the fight for Europe for the moment.
- Liam Rosenior’s side have struggled for form recently, however, winning just one of their last 5 in all competitions (D2, L2).
- Rosenior was installed as manager in January 2026 and has shown a real flair for tactical adaptability, making Chelsea a difficult team to play against when they adopt their preferred 4-4-2 or mid-block formation.
- They patiently progress the ball vertically in a controlled fashion and trigger pressing traps.
- Their 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday showed the promise of this Chelsea side after their 3-2 EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
- Joao Pedro has been their key performer up top, netting 7 times in 22 league appearances.
Head-to-Head
- Crystal Palace are winless in their last 5 games in all competitions (D2, L3).
- The last 2 Premier League meetings between these sides ended all square.
Key Players
- Jean-Philippe Mateta
- Jean-Philippe Mateta remains their top scorer in the Premier League with 8 goals in 22 appearances.
- Joao Pedro
- Joao Pedro has been their key performer up top, netting 7 times in 22 league appearances.
Betting Insights
- With Chelsea coming into this match on the back of a victory and Palace’s home record sitting at just 2 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats, the visitors should edge this one out.
- With Chelsea averaging 1.73 goals scored and 1.18 goals conceded per away Premier League game, and with Palace scoring 0.91 and conceding 1.09 at home in the top-flight, over 2.5 goals looks very attractive at 1.75.
Prediction
However, the fact that Palace can hurt teams in transition, and that they’ve avoided defeat in their last 2 meetings with Chelsea, including a 0-0 away draw at Stamford Bridge 5 months ago, leads me to believe they can keep it close.
