Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
England – Premier League
Date: Saturday, 9 November 2019
Kick-off at 12:30 UK/ 13:30 CET
Venue: Stamford Bridge (London).
Chelsea
While Chelsea are still far from the finished article under Frank Lampard, some of their supporters have reason to complain to the recorded maximum points in the Premier League since September 28.
There are arguments that the Blues have enjoyed a profitable run fixtures, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, Newcastle United, Burnley and Watford all come in a row.
Nevertheless, Lampard and his players are under pressure to begin to change the appearance of being the result, something that has proven to be easier because they lost narrowly to leaders Liverpool.
Despite the positive nature, however, Chelsea have not been convincing in front of their home supporters, a trend that continued against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Lampard was quick to praise the character of his team, who came back from a 4-1 deficit, but they have lost their opponents for much of the game until the bizarre double dismissal from their respective central defender.
Chelsea weakness in the back also exposed once again, with two own goals come as a result of a lack of concentration at set pieces and dual beings for further conceded poor defending.
Nine goals have now been sent from four outings in all competitions, leaving Lampard under pressure to find a solution if his team would remain in the hunt for second place.
Overall, it's been several weeks of strong west London, though the prospect may change if they fail to see the Palace at the weekend.
Crystal Palace
While a three-match winless run has left the Palace back down in the middle of the board, Roy Hodgson will still be relatively satisfied with his team's start to the campaign.
Their biggest priority is to stay clear of the relegation zone, and the Eagles now find themselves seven points clear of the bottom three.
With only two points separating fifth-placed Palace and Arsenal, Hodgson and his team now have the freedom to try to get into the top six at the time the majority of clubs around them to produce their best form.
People like the Gunners, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur can eventually collect run of results which catapults them back into the mix further up the table but for the moment at least, the Palace has a chance to make the step up that they always threatened since the arrival of Hodgson.
Seven points came from away games at Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United this season, and it will not come as a big surprise when Palace won against one of their rivals in London.
Despite the defeat of one side to Manchester City and Leicester City at Selhurst Park, Palace had come from behind to earn four points from losing positions in their last two derby showdowns.
And wants to put an end to the Palace without a clean sheet streak, Gary Cahill will be keen to impress against his former club after sitting out a lot last year at Chelsea.
Recognizing the possibility of interest from the Blues, the long-serving Wilfried Zaha can also enjoy the opportunity to finally net his first goal this season.
Chelsea may be the starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Palmieri; Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi; Abraham
Crystal Palace lineup may be the beginning:
Guaita; Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Van Aanholt; McCarthy, Kouyate, Milivojevic; Schlupp, Zaha, Ayew
Prediction
Crystal Palace have shown they can cause problems down the road, following their comeback against Arsenal. The Eagles will make it difficult for Chelsea and will look to take their chances on the counter.
However, Chelsea will come into the game full of confidence and will be keen to take all three points, as they look to widen the gap between them and the fifth Arsenal.
Overall, although the Blues may not keep a clean sheet, they are expected to take the victory here.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Crystal Palace