Chelsea
recorded their first win of the season at the third time of asking against
West Brom last Sunday, and will be hoping to add their second when Crystal
Palace visit Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho's side edged past the Baggies 3-2 at The Hawthorns, with new
signing Pedro getting off the mark on his first appearance for the Blues.
Palace, meanwhile, have six points from their opening three games after an
excellent start to the season, with their only blemish so far coming when
they were beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal a fortnight ago.
Team news
Chelsea captain John Terry is suspended for the game on Saturday after being
sent off in the win at West Brom, with Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma likely to
line-up in central defence.
Victor Moses and Oscar missed the Baggies clash with undisclosed injuries
and could again be absent, but Brazilian Kenedy could make his debut after
completing his move.
Yannick Bolasie is available for Crystal Palace after missing the midweek
Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury following the death of his father.
Wilfried Zaha could drop out for Bolasie, while midfielder Mile Jedinak is
out for two to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against
Shrewsbury. Goalkeeper Julian Speroni (finger) and strikers Marouane Chamakh
and Fraizer Campbell (both hamstring) are likely to be absent again.
Stats
This will be Jose Mourinho's 100th Premier League home game in charge of
Chelsea.
He has won 76 and lost just one of the previous 99.
Crystal Palace have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last seven
Premier League away games.
Alan Pardew has won four of his last seven Barclays Premier League matches
as a coach against Chelsea (W4 L3).
The Blues have won nine and lost just one of the 12 Premier League meetings
between Palace and Chelsea.
Chelsea have scored 199 goals at Stamford Bridge in Premier League London
derbies.
Merson's prediction
I'm going for the champions here. I loved seeing their second goal at the
weekend against West Brom scored by Diego Costa, it was them back to their
best. Pedro looked brilliant, outstanding. For £21m he is top, top drawer.
When you think of the huge saga over the summer for Kevin De Bruyne between
Manchester City and Wolfsburg, Chelsea have got their winger with no fuss,
and he's probably twice as good.
Palace fell over the line against Shrewsbury, which shocked me, and Villa.
They'll score at Stamford Bridge because they're quick on the break away
from home, but the hosts will be too strong.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
top