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.
Follow all of the action below!
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
62: CLOSE! Giroud heads over after a whipped delivery with interest from Willian. Chelsea upping the ante - it is remarkable that they have only scored twice here.
65: Conte must be frustrated that the Blues haven't put this game to bed. Another shaky moment in defence, seeing the ball gifted to Zaha in the Chelsea penalty area, will give cause for concern that this game may not be over. With Barcelona on the horizon, the Italian will want his side to kill this off quickly. Palace, meanwhile, have other ideas.
67: CLOSE AGAIN! Chelsea are cursed. They are not going to get a third goal. It has been decreed. Olivier Giroud must be wondering how on earth has he not scored. Denied by Tomkins earlier, and now it's the post which stands in his way. A pull-back finds the Frenchman, but from 10 yards out, the former Arsenal man can only find the woodwork. Conte is perplexed.
72: Olivier Giroud winces in pain at the sight of his number, held aloft by the fourth official. It just hasn't been his evening. On a different day he could have scored twice. But he is replaced by Alvaro Morata, as Conte seeks to put an end to this game as a contest.
75: Jairo Riedewald is coming on for Palace. He will replace an ineffective Jeffrey Schlupp.
80: Willian is certainly at the peak of his powers right now. Another stunning run forward culminates in a raking, curled, cross field pass towards Eden Hazard. Another standout display from the Brazilian, in a World Cup year. Tite take note.
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