Chelsea Aim for Back-to-Back Wins as They Host Crystal Palace

Chelsea will take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge this Sunday, buoyed by their resounding 6-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. It has been a mixed start to the season for Enzo Maresca’s side, but they have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their last match. Chelsea have a dominant record against Palace, having won their last 14 meetings, and they will look to continue that trend as they aim for back-to-back victories.

Team News: Injury Woes for Chelsea

Unfortunately for the Blues, they will be missing some key players. Captain Reece James and midfielder Romeo Lavia are out with injuries and will only return after the international break. New signing Jadon Sancho is also unavailable due to eligibility issues.

Maresca will likely stick with the winning formula from their last match, with Robert Sanchez starting in goal. Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella are expected to take the full-back positions, while Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill will form the center-back pairing. In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to start, while the attacking lineup could feature Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and possibly Pedro Neto.

Predicted Chelsea XI:

Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

Crystal Palace Looking to Rebound

For Crystal Palace, the start of the season has been less than ideal. Oliver Glasner’s side has lost both of their opening Premier League fixtures, and they are desperate to avoid a third straight defeat. However, they come into this game with some confidence after a 4-0 win against Norwich City in the EFL Cup. Dean Henderson is expected to start in goal, while Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the attack.

Predicted Crystal Palace XI:

Henderson; Clyne, Guehi, Richards, Munoz; Wharton, Hughes; Kamada, Eze, Mitchell; Mateta.

Form and Historical Context

Chelsea’s form has been inconsistent, but their 6-2 victory over Wolves has given them a boost. They currently sit mid-table and will be looking to climb the standings with another win. In European competition, they managed to qualify for the Conference League despite a narrow loss to Servette. Historically, Chelsea have dominated their meetings with Palace, having won 14 consecutive matches against the Eagles. A win on Sunday would tie them with Manchester City’s record for the most consecutive wins against a single opponent.

Players to Watch

For Chelsea, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer were the standout performers in their last game. Madueke’s hat-trick and Palmer’s creative assists were crucial to the win, and both players will be expected to deliver again. On Palace’s side, Eberechi Eze is their key player, and his performance will be critical if they are to get a result.

Score Prediction

With Chelsea’s attacking form and Palace’s defensive vulnerabilities, it is hard to see anything other than a Chelsea win. A 3-1 scoreline in favor of the home side seems a fair prediction, with Chelsea’s attack likely to overwhelm Palace’s defense.