Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

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09/01/24 • 12 Views • 0 Share • Published in Sports

Livestream Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

When Chelsea squares off against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, the team will finally have the opportunity to focus entirely on their on-field performance after a whirlwind summer of transfers. Chelsea's season has already been marked by significant changes in both the squad and coaching staff, as they strive to establish themselves as a dominant force in domestic and European competitions. As they prepare for the clash with Crystal Palace, the hope is that Chelsea can build on their recent form and continue their upward momentum under new manager Enzo Maresca.

A Summer of Transformation at Stamford Bridge

The summer at Chelsea has been defined by a flurry of transfer activity. Under Todd Boehly's ownership, the club spent an eye-watering £200 million on new signings, while more than 20 players left the team. This massive overhaul underscores the club's determination to turn the page on a turbulent period characterized by inconsistent performances and off-field drama. However, despite this heavy investment, Chelsea’s season opener was disappointing, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. The loss underscored the gap that remains between Chelsea and the Premier League’s top teams, even after their significant spending.

The defeat to Manchester City also highlighted ongoing criticism of Chelsea’s management under Boehly, with the club frequently making headlines for the wrong reasons. However, last Sunday, Chelsea silenced some of their critics with a dominant 6-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. This win, Chelsea's first away triumph in over two and a half years, provided a much-needed boost in confidence and showcased the positive influence Maresca has had on the squad in a short time.

Rising Stars Stepping Up

The match against Wolves saw standout performances from Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, who have been instrumental in Chelsea's recent resurgence. Madueke’s hat-trick in the second half, all set up by Palmer, highlighted Chelsea's attacking potential. Their stellar performances earned both players call-ups to the England national team, reflecting their growing stature in English football. Maresca’s decision to start both players against Wolves proved wise, and they are expected to be key figures in Chelsea’s campaign this season.

Despite a midweek defeat to Servette in the Conference League, Chelsea still secured their place in the competition's group stage. While the 2-1 loss in Geneva raised concerns about the team’s defensive stability—having conceded two goals in three of their last four matches—the overall 3-2 aggregate victory was sufficient to progress. Chelsea’s European form remains a work in progress, but their primary focus now is on domestic success.

Upcoming European Challenges

After Friday’s Conference League group stage draw, Chelsea faces a challenging schedule with away trips to Astana in Kazakhstan and Panathinaikos in Greece. These fixtures will test Chelsea’s ability to perform in hostile environments, especially when they are expected to dominate. Matches against underdogs like Shamrock Rovers of Ireland and Noah of Armenia should provide Chelsea with opportunities to secure vital points without losing focus on their Premier League objectives.

Crystal Palace's Difficult Start and Potential

Crystal Palace’s season has gotten off to a rocky start, with Oliver Glasner’s side languishing near the bottom of the table after two successive losses. However, these results have not fully reflected Palace’s performances. In their match against Brentford, Eberechi Eze had a crucial free kick controversially disallowed, and in their defeat to West Ham United, the England international was unlucky to hit the crossbar. Defensive errors have also played a role in their poor start, a recurring problem Glasner needs to address if Palace is to climb the table.

This is the first time since the Frank de Boer era that Palace has lost their opening two games. Despite this disappointing start, optimism remains within the squad. Glasner made a strong impression during preseason following his arrival in February, and there were hopes that Palace could avoid a relegation battle this season. To boost confidence, Glasner deployed a strong lineup in Palace’s midweek EFL Cup match against Norwich City, a decision that paid off with a convincing 4-0 victory. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice, including a spectacular volley, while Daichi Kamada opened his scoring account for the club. Eze was also in fine form, scoring his first goal of the season, giving Palace a much-needed boost ahead of their clash with Chelsea.

Team News and Possible Lineups

For Chelsea, Maresca appears to have found his preferred starting lineup early in his tenure. With a wealth of options at his disposal, the Italian manager is likely to stick with the team that dismantled Wolves last weekend. The only possible change could come in the forward line, where Pedro Neto may be handed a full debut after impressing as a substitute against Wolves. Mykhaylo Mudryk, who was substituted at halftime for Neto, might be the only player in danger of losing his starting spot. Reece James remains unavailable due to a thigh injury and is also serving a suspension from last season, while Romeo Lavia is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea’s likely starting lineup could include Caicedo and Fernandez in midfield, with Madueke, Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Jackson forming the attack. Defensively, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, and Cucurella are expected to start in front of goalkeeper Sanchez.

On the other side, Crystal Palace will be forced to make adjustments due to injuries. Chadi Riad, who was injured midweek, joins Matheus Franca on the sidelines. With Joachim Andersen’s departure and Riad’s injury adding to their defensive challenges, Glasner faces the task of organizing a solid backline. Nevertheless, Marc Guehi is expected to stay with the club despite Newcastle United’s interest and will likely pair with Chris Richards in central defense. Dean Henderson will continue in goal after Sam Johnstone’s move to Wolves, with new arrival Matt Turner providing competition.

In attack, Glasner is likely to stick with Kamada, Eze, and Mateta, who were influential in the midweek win over Norwich. Adam Wharton and Will Hughes are expected to anchor the midfield, with Clyne and Mitchell likely starting as full-backs.

Chelsea’s Attack vs. Palace’s Defense

Chelsea will enter the match as clear favorites, given their recent form and squad quality. Maresca’s side has demonstrated glimpses of their attacking prowess, especially in the dominant win over Wolves. If Chelsea can replicate that level of attacking play, they should have no difficulty securing all three points against a Palace side that has struggled defensively.

However, Crystal Palace cannot be dismissed entirely. Despite their slow start, there have been positive signs, especially in their attacking play. Eze has been a standout performer, and Mateta’s brace in midweek will have given him confidence heading into the match. If Palace can tighten up defensively and make the most of their opportunities, they could pose a threat to a Chelsea defense that has shown vulnerabilities.

Sunday’s match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace offers an intriguing matchup between two teams with contrasting starts to the season. Chelsea, buoyed by their recent performances, will aim to continue their dominance over Palace and build momentum in their quest for a top-four finish. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, will be desperate to get their first points on the board and avoid a third straight loss.

The result of this match could have significant implications for both teams’ seasons. A win for Chelsea would solidify their status as serious contenders, while a loss could reignite the criticisms that have dogged them recently. For Palace, a positive result would be a much-needed boost and help them distance themselves from early relegation worries.

Ultimately, the key battle will likely be between Chelsea’s potent attack and Palace’s shaky defense. If Maresca’s men can exploit the defensive weaknesses that have plagued Palace so far, they should be able to secure a victory. However, if Palace can rediscover the defensive stability that served them well in preseason, they could frustrate Chelsea and possibly salvage a point or more.

Whatever the outcome, Sunday’s match promises to be a compelling contest between two teams with much to prove as the Premier League season unfolds.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

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