Team
news, key stats and prediction ahead of Chelsea vs Crystal Palace in the
Premier League.
Team news
Chelsea will have Mason Mount available after he limped off in the
sensational 4-4 draw with Ajax in midweek, but Ross Barkley will miss out.
Jorginho is suspended for the game after picking up his fifth booking of the
season last weekend.
Antonio Rudiger, who has played 45 minutes of Premier League football,
remains sidelined after having an operation, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek
continues his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury.
Crystal Palace will have a fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to
Stamford Bridge, with Andros Townsend, James McArthur, Gary Cahill and
Cheikhou Kouyate all back after short-term knocks.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won six of their last eight home league games against Crystal
Palace, losing the other two in August 2015 and April 2017.
Since returning to the Premier League in 2013-14, Crystal Palace have won
four of their 12 league games against Chelsea, double how many they'd beaten
the Blues in their 22 previous top-flight encounters between 1969-2005 (W2
D9 L11).
Chelsea have won their last three London derbies in the Premier League,
their best run since winning five in a row between October and December 2014
under Jose Mourinho.
Since the start of last season, only Liverpool (18), Manchester City (18)
and Chelsea (14) have won more Premier League away games than Crystal Palace
(11).
Crystal Palace have won two of their last four away London derbies in the
Premier League (D1 L1), as many as they had in their previous 15 such
matches (W2 D3 L10). This will be their 100th London derby in the Premier
League - only Fulham have a lower points-per-game ratio in such games (0.84)
than the Eagles (0.93).
Chelsea are looking to win six consecutive Premier League games for the
first time since May 2017 under Antonio Conte, in their last title-winning
season.
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic has scored in each of his last two Premier
League appearances - only three Americans have scored in three in a row;
Clint Dempsey (three times - 2007, 2009 and 2012), Joe Max-Moore (2000) and
Roy Wegerle (1993).
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard could become the seventh English manager to win
six consecutive Premier League matches, and the first since Alan Pardew in
April 2012 with Newcastle United.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Crystal Palace are a better side away from home. Roy Hodgson has done a
fabulous job when you consider he hasn't really got a striker on the books.
Christian Benteke's goal record tells you everything, although Jordan Ayew
has four goals this campaign.
Palace just keep plodding away - Gary Cahill has improved them. Wilfried
Zaha likes to turn up in these games. Mason Mount may be out, but Christian
Pulisic is two-footed, has lovely balance and is a great finisher. Chelsea
had a wonderful comeback against Ajax - they should have seen the job off
and they didn't in the end.
Tammy Abraham is a bit cold and not getting into the areas that matter as
such, but Willian has been playing well. I think Chelsea will get over the
line but it will be a tight one.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
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