Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Premier League live!
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea host Crystal Palace in the late kick-off on Saturday, with Antonio Conte’s side looking to avoid their fifth defeat in six Premier League games. Pressure has been mounting on Conte and his Chelsea side after a string of disappointing results, and with the Blues in fifth in the Premier League table and five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, there is a genuine risk of failing to qualify for the 2018/19 Champions League.
Conte’s side will come up against a Crystal Palace team who have been blighted by an injury epidemic, and fresh off the back of their last-gasp defeat to Manchester United on Monday night, the game at Stamford Bridge takes on an added dimension of importance for Roy Hodgson’s side, who remain 18th in the Premier League table.
Palace under Hogdson had looked to be steering clear of relegation, though a recent barren run has seen relegation resurface as a serious possibility. The Eagles have won their last two encounters with Chelsea in the Premier League, and Palace will be hoping to replicate their form from this fixture last year when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
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What time does it start?
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 17.30pm on 10 Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1. Coverage starts at 17.00pm. Highlights will be shown at 22.30pm on BBC1.
It’s a big game for…
Antonio Conte. Chelsea’s title-winning manager has endured a serious case of second-season syndrome, and Saturday’s game at Palace is unquestionably a must win for Conte. Three points would go some way to getting Chelsea back on track, though they have lost their last two games against Palace in the Premier League – both of which were 2-1 defeats.
Best stat:
If Chelsea lose at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, their run of five defeats in six will match their worst ever run in the Premier League, equaling that of Jose Mourinho’s final season in 2015/16.
Remember when…
Last time out in this fixture, Crystal Palace emerged as the victors in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Re-live the goals here.
Player to watch…
Christian Benteke. Given Palace’s severe injury crisis, Hodgson will be looking to his big name players to deliver, and club-record signing Christian Benteke certainly falls under that bracket. The Belgian forward has been in disappointing form throughout the 2017/18 campaign, though Saturday’s game against Chelsea, who were rumoured to have held an interest in Benteke, could be a chance for the striker to redeem himself with a crucial contribution.
Past three meetings…
Crystal Palace 2 Chelsea 1, Premier League, October 2017
Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 2, Premier League, April 2017
Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1, Premier League, December 2016
Form guide…
Chelsea: LWWDLL
Crystal Palace: LLDLLL
Odds…
Chelsea to win: 7/25
Draw: 23/5
Crystal Palace to win: 11/1
28: Palace can perhaps feel a little unlucky to be behind. They have kept Chelsea at arms length for much of the opening exchanges, denying the Blues any space in behind. But a deflection has undone them.
30: Zappacosta surges down the right-hand side once again, but his cross isn't the best. Giroud charges onto it, but can't get any potency on the ball. It's easily collected by Hennessey.
32: A wretched goal to concede for Palace. Kelly is having a bit of a mare. Marcos Alonso flies down the left flank, he squares it to Hazard who lays it to Zappacosta. His strike is saved, but the save hits Kelly, which hits Hennessey, and then hits Kelly and goes in.
Bad. 2-0 to the Blues.
34: Chelsea brimming with the old confidence now. Tall order for Palace to pull back level from here.
36: Has van Aanholt resigned? Gone for a loo break? Zappacosta is being afforded acres of space on the right-hand side and Chelsea are working through him time after time. Increasingly, Alonso is getting the same treatment on the left too. This isn't looking pretty for Palace.
37: Another sweeping move from flank to flank leaves Palace dazed and almost 3-0 down. A cross from the right finds Giroud, and his header finds Alonso who volleys wide of the post. Chelsea are coming in drones. Hodgson needs to change something tactically here, as Chelsea are running them ragged.
41: Crystal Palace fans remain in good voice but their team looks deflated. Chelsea haven't got out of second gear and they are 2-0 up, with more to come it feels. Hazard dances around Townsend on the left and drills a dangerous ball in which is cleared. They give the ball back, and Chelsea come again. It's an attack vs defence drill so far.
45: UNBELIEVABLE BLOCK! Chelsea play some outstanding football, with Willian and Hazard combining expertly, before laying it to Olivier Giroud who appears to have an open net. But James Tomkins comes flying in to block his shot on the line! Superb play from the former West Ham man.
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