Preview: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Number 50 on the way?

Before we get in to the nitty gritty of the weekend we should all take a moment for a resounding pat on the back. We've made it through the final international break of the season - relatively unscathed. From this point forward it's all club football, all the time. And Chelsea have it all to play for. And by all I mean the league and FA Cup. The 2017 Champions League is overrated ... *

Beyond the odd injury, the international break can be a real damp squib when it comes to momentum. Something both Chelsea and their guests this weekend, Crystal Palace, had throughout March. Across the last 6 matches, only 4 teams have won more points than Crystal Palace (12). While Chelsea & Palace are 2 of just 4 teams to win each of their last 3 league games.

Throughout the season, Palace have never been short of goals. Their problems had been at the back. And while Sam Allardyce has had some impact on the Eagles getting back to basics, the inclusion of Liverpool outcast Mamadou Sakho into the squad has been a resounding success. Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in each of the three matches which Sakho has featured. Which means that Chelsea could have their work cut out for them if they want to see their 14th consecutive win at Stamford Bridge.

Allardyce battles with a number of injury concerns but will likely settle on the same starting XI that beat Watford 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Biggest threat will be Benteke. 5 of the 8 Premier League goals Chelsea have conceded since the turn of the year have been headers. And Benteke has a fantastic record against the Blues - he's not scored more against any other opponent in the Premier League.

Predicted Palace XI: Wayne Hennessey, Jeffery Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Joel Ward, Luka Milivojević, Yohan Cabaye, Andros Townsend, Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke

Chelsea currently a 10 point gap at the top of the table. But more impressively - a FORTY-ONE point gap over Crystal Palace. Antonio Conte has proven time and again he has a good head on his shoulders, and won't let the disparity between the two sides tomorrow get into his players heads and let the ease up. He's got his eyes on this season's title but insists on keeping the team focused on each game as it comes.

Ahead of the match, the Italian manager said that “Football is strange. It's full of surprises. I repeat: in my experience as a footballer, I won a lot, but I also think I lost more. For this reason, I want to keep our feet on the ground. That's very important, for me and my players. Above all after this type of season, great work and hard work and a lot of difficulties to overcome the problems, I think we deserve to win."

Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have all struggled with injuries over the last fortnight but have been in training this week. They *should* be match fit to face Palace (and hopefully Manchester City - later this week).

Predicted Chelsea XI: Thibaut Courtois, Marcos Alonso, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Victor Moses, N'Golo Kanté, Cesc Fàbregas, Eden Hazard, Pedro, Diego Costa

Diego Costa is still sitting on those pesky 49 goals. If he scores his 50th Premier League goal tomorrow, he will equal Sergio Agüero's record of 50 in 81 games. Only 4 players have scored 50 in fewer games than Agüero, so would be an impressive achievement for a player who 'just looks for a bit of a scrap'.

Saturday should lean towards a game that looks like two form teams going head to head rather than two teams separated by more than 40 points. Allardyce will have drilled his players during the break. About the game he said: "Every man will have to be on top of his form and very aware tactically of what we need to do in and out of possession, plus we’ll have to make few mistakes because Chelsea are masters of punishing them."

As much as they have improved as of late, Chelsea should still be too much for Palace to handle. In London derbies this season, Chelsea have won the most points (15) while Palace have lost on each of their 5 attempts.

Predicted score: Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace

jb xx
 
*of course its the greatest competition ever - but 1 season pretending that it doesn't exist isn't going to hurt anyone. Let me have this.

Reverse Fixture Bonus: For those of you who may not remember, the reverse fixture saw Victor Moses turn a Chelsea throw in into a Crystal Palace corner for no reason whatsoever. Just threw it straight out for a corner to the disbelief of everyone else on the pitch.