Chelsea FC vs Crystal Palace, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Chelsea FC vs Crystal Palace Match Prediction & Analysis

The game sees two of the most inconsistent teams in the league clash against one another, with a fascinating encounter on our hands from London.

Chelsea have lost three games on the bounce, two of those coming against Manchester City in the league and FA Cup. More worryingly was their 2-1 defeat to Fulham most recently.

The Blues have now lost more games this campaign than they did in the entirety of last season, a miserable statistic for Graham Potter to have on his shoulders. He needs wins and quickly.

Crystal Palace are two places and three points behind their London counterparts, having played a game fewer. Patrick Vieira’s men often take one step forward and another back.

Now they face Chelsea, Manchester United twice and Newcastle in their next four games in all competitions. That run will place their resources under maximum pressure and will give us a good idea of their quality.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Chelsea FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Have won 11 consecutive games against Palace

     Beaten Palace on 21 of their last 27 meetings

Reasons to be fearful:

     As many as 11 first-team players out injured here

     On the verge of four consecutive defeats for the first time since 1993

You wonder if Chelsea have hit rock bottom under Graham Potter or if there is worse yet to come for the Blues this season.

Consecutive defeats against Manchester City showed the obvious gap in quality between the two teams, although it has been poor results against teams Chelsea usually beat that has been most concerning.

A big influence in Chelsea’s downfall has been their injury list, which is virtually a first team’s worth of players. Kante, James, Chilwell, Sterling, Pulisic and Zakaria are a selection of the big-name absentees.

Frustratingly, Joao Felix, who had looked impressive on his debut against Fulham, will now miss the next three games after getting sent off.

Chelsea have 11 consecutive wins against Palace, but when confidence is as short as it is at Stamford Bridge right now, it may be closer this time around.

Star Man – Kai Havertz

Havertz started the season strongly before falling away. With Chelsea’s other goalscorers either injured or ineffective, Havertz needs to step up to the plate and justify his big-money transfer.

Crystal Palace Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Tyrick Mitchell returns after a three-match suspension

     Typically perform well in London derbies

Reasons to be fearful

     Lost three of their last four fixtures

     Just four wins from their last 27 meetings with Chelsea

The fortunes of Crystal Palace seem to rise and fall like the wind, one game looking promising and the next like they are back to square one again.

The Eagles have two games in hand on Aston Villa, a place above them, and one game in hand on their opponents here. Wins in either could put them into the top half, but they have failed to do just that so often lately.

Palace have often been inconsistent on their travels, although it is their home form that has been the biggest worry for them recently. They’ve lost their last three at Selhurst Park.

They’ve also lost their last two on the road as well, and with their poor form at Chelsea over the years, you wonder how they’ll find a way through this one either.

Tyrick Mitchell will return at left-back after a suspension.

Star Man – Wilf Zaha

Has been Crystal Palace’s best player for many seasons now, although has a poor record against Chelsea. Zaha has three goals from his 18 appearances against the Blues.