Chelsea v Crystal Palace predictions, odds and betting tips

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Where to watch Chelsea v Crystal Palace

You can watch Chelsea v Crystal Palace in the Premier League on December 27, live on Amazon Prime Video

Match prediction & best bet

Crystal Palace draw no bet
1pt 12-5 bet365

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Chelsea v Crystal Palace odds

Chelsea 3-4
Crystal Palace 18-5
Draw 29-10

Odds correct at time of publishing

Chelsea v Crystal Palace team news

Chelsea
Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka are all out with injuries and miss out alongside the suspended Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling, while midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are doubts.

Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace will be without Cheick Doucoure, Jensun Rak-Sakyi, Joel Ward, Odsonne Edouard, Sam Johnstone and Rob Holding. Eberechi Eze featured from the bench against Brighton and could be back in the starting line-up.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace predictions

Chelsea set an unwanted record when losing at Molineux on Christmas Eve, suffering their 19th league defeat of the calendar year when going down 2-1 to Wolves and becoming the side with the most losses in the Premier League in 2023 in the process.

They should be feeling confident of shrugging that defeat off and getting back to winning ways immediately as they welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge, who they have beaten 12 times in a row making the Eagles one of a very select few teams the Blues have beaten in 2023, but things may not be that straightforward.

Mauricio Pochettino's side in are in the midst of an injury crisis, just as they have been for most of the season, with numerous first-team players on the sidelines.

Key defenders Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana are all out, as is first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, and the Blues could be vulnerable at the back against a Palace side who put two past champions Manchester City in their last away match and could welcome arguably their best attacker, Eberechi Eze, back into the starting line-up.

But it is not only in defence that Chelsea have problems as both Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, the Blues' most important attackers, picked up their fifth bookings of the season in the defeat at Wolves, leaving Pochettino with limited options at the other end too.

The hosts have recorded just one clean sheet in their last 11 league games and may struggle to keep Palace, led by Eze and the in-form Michael Olise, at bay, while their depleted frontline are unlikely to provide enough output to swing the scoreline in their favour.

The Eagles have failed to score in their last five trips to Stamford Bridge but they face a completely different proposition this time. Their hosts have lost three of their last four matches, have already been defeated by Brentford and Nottingham Forest at home and are heavily depleted all over the pitch.

Roy Hodgson's men could cause an upset and add the Chelsea's growing misery as well as the pressure growing on Pochettino, although the Blues are unbeaten in five home matches so it may be worth backing Palace in the draw-no-bet market.

Key stat

Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League matches

Probable teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Ugochukwu, Gallagher; Madueke, Nkunku, Mudryk; Jackson
Subs: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Badiashille, Maatsen, Matos, Lavia, Caicedo, Broja, Washington

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Richards, Eze; Olise, Mateta, Ayew
Subs: Matthews, Tomkins, Riedewald, Schlupp, Ebiowei, Hughes, Ozoh, Franca, Ahamada

Inside info

Chelsea

Star man Gallagher
Top scorer Jackson
Penalty taker Jackson
Card magnet Jackson
Assist ace Gallagher
Set-piece aerial threat Disasi

Crystal Palace

Star man Olise
Top scorer Eze
Penalty taker Eze
Card magnet Andersen
Assist ace Ayew
Set-piece aerial threat Andersen

Chelsea v Crystal Palace bet builder predictions

Michael Olise to have a shot on target
The return of Michael Olise has been huge for Crystal Palace and the French winger has taken eight shots in his last five matches, highlighting his importance to the side. He scored the crucial penalty to gain a point at Manchester City in the Eagles' last away game and could register at least one shot on target in this fixture, with Chelsea depleted in defence.

Conor Gallagher to receive a yellow card
With Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez both doubts for this fixture, Conor Gallagher may have to get through a lot of work in the Chelsea engine room and could catch the attention of the referee if things get ugly for the Blues. The Eagles employ some tricky customers, especially Eberechi Eze who Gallagher may be tasked with containing, and the former Palace loanee could be forced into some cynical fouls as a result.

Djordje Petrovic to make over 2.5 saves
The Blues shotstopper was forced into making four saves in the defeat at Wolves and could be in for another busy outing when Palace arrive at Stamford Bridge. The Eagles registered four shots on target against Liverpool and three against Brighton and they could exploit the Chelsea's depleted defence and force the Serbian goalkeeper into action on a few occasions.

Pays out at 10-1 with bet365

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