Palace vs Chelsea Match Preview: London Rivals Clash at Selhurst | OneFootball

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Match Preview and Team News

As the Premier League continues its relentless pace into the new year, Selhurst Park will host a crucial London derby this Saturday. Crystal Palace, buoyed by recent form, take on a Chelsea side desperate to revive their season under Enzo Maresca. The match promises to be a fascinating encounter, with both teams aiming to solidify their positions in the league table.

Match Details and Viewing Information

Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Date: Saturday, 4 January 2025 Kick-Off: 3:00pm GMT Venue: Selhurst Park, London

This fixture falls under the 3pm blackout rule in English football, meaning it won’t be shown live in the UK. Fans can catch the highlights on BBC One’s Match of the Day, airing at 10:20pm. Standard Sport will also provide live updates via their match blog.

Palace’s Resurgence Under Glasner

Crystal Palace come into this game with a renewed sense of belief. Last weekend’s 2-1 comeback victory over Southampton lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone, extending their impressive run to just one defeat in six league outings.

Oliver Glasner’s influence is becoming more apparent as his team builds momentum. Captain Marc Guehi’s return from suspension will bolster Palace’s backline, while Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca remain sidelined through injury.

With players like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise delivering consistent performances, Palace fans will hope their team can exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities at Selhurst Park. Glasner’s side will look to make the most of set pieces and counter-attacking opportunities in what promises to be a tightly contested affair.

Photo: IMAGO

Chelsea’s Search for Stability

Chelsea’s season under Enzo Maresca has been one of inconsistency and frustration. Despite a comfortable FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town, their Premier League campaign has lacked cohesion. Key injuries have not helped, with Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Mykhailo Mudryk unavailable for this match.

However, there are glimmers of hope for the Blues. Reece James made a return to the bench last week, signalling progress in his recovery, while Romeo Lavia edges closer to full fitness. These developments could provide Maresca with the options he desperately needs to reinvigorate his squad.

Chelsea’s reliance on Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernández in attack will be pivotal. Both players will need to step up against a resilient Palace defence. Additionally, Chelsea’s midfield must dominate possession to avoid being exposed by Palace’s quick transitions.

Key Battles to Watch

The return of Marc Guehi adds strength to Palace’s defensive setup, and his duel with Raheem Sterling could be a decisive factor. Meanwhile, the battle between Conor Gallagher and Cheick Doucouré in midfield is set to provide plenty of intrigue.

On the wings, Michael Olise’s creativity will test Chelsea’s full-backs, particularly if Reece James is deemed fit enough to start. For Chelsea, the pace of Noni Madueke could cause problems for Palace’s backline, especially on the counter-attack.

Prediction

Selhurst Park’s intimidating atmosphere gives Palace a slight edge, but Chelsea’s quality cannot be overlooked. With both teams needing points for very different reasons, this encounter is likely to be a hard-fought draw.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea