Premier League: Have the Blues’ Bubble Burst?

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will make the short trip to South London on Saturday to take on Oliver Glasner’s improving Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win at home to bottom club Southampton, while the Blues went down to a damaging 2-0 away loss to another struggling side, Ipswich Town. And those Premier League results left Chelsea in fourth place and 10 points off the lead but, crucially, Maresca’s men have a three-point cushion ahead of fifth placed Newcastle United.

Things looked much brighter for the Blues before the festive period which they entered on an eight-match winning run in the league, and this game gives the visitors a chance to get their Champions League bid back on track. But Selhurst Park is never an easy place to visit. The Palace Ultras are ready to give Chelsea a hostile welcome, and Glasner’s team is in much better shape than they were a month or so ago, pulling away from the relegation zone, but with more work to do. 

There are some great fixtures to look forward to on the first full round of Premier League games, kicking off with Spurs vs Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime, and this London Derby is up there with the best.    

 

Talking Points

Guehi back for Palace

The Eagles navigated their match at home to Southampton without inspirational captain Marc Guehi who was suspended after he had accumulated his fifth yellow card in a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth on Boxing Day. The 24-year-old centre-back impressed with England at Euro 2024, and he’s a target for Europe’s top clubs, including Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have been alerted by Guehi’s desire to play Champions League football. It may be that the defender is off to pastures news in the summer, but right now he is the pivotal part of a quickly improving Palace. 

Guehi’s return to the starting XI is a huge boost to the Eagles, who have recently found their feet under Glasner after a really poor start to the season. Palace have lost just once in eight Premier League matches and have put in some impressive performances, notably a 3-1 win over fierce rivals Brighton as the livewire Ismaila Sarr scored a sensational brace.          

 

James getting closer for Chelsea

The Blues have rather hit the skids over Christmas, but there was some good Premier League 2025 news on a miserable trip to Suffolk. Club captain Reece James was part of the matchday squad for the trip to Portman Road, though he didn’t make an appearance, as Maresca’s team chased the game after going behind early. Chelsea have missed James’ impact from the wing but also his authority in defence, where the Blues have their shown some weaknesses.

While Maresca has work to do on his team’s backline, there is no doubting Chelsea’s talent in attack, led by the ever-improving Nicolas Jackson, who has nine goals in 18 games and with the excellent Cole Palmer pulling the strings, with 12 goals and six assists.

They have the players to go on another winning run, but first Chelsea must end a sticky three match winless streak. The Blues’ problems started on the 22^nd December when they struggled to a 1-1 draw against Everton before their Boxing Day meeting with Fulham turned out to be a disaster as they fell to a 2-1 defeat as the Cottagers scored two late goals. The worst result of all has to be the loss to Ipswich which gave the Tractor Boys a first home league win of the campaign.  

 

History

With 25 victories to four, the Blues have had a strong upper hand in the head-to-heads, and the Eagles have failed to beat the Blues at home since 2017, last season losing this fixture 3-1.  

In terms of recent form, the Eagles are clearly progressing, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in all competitions, while Chelsea have won three matches, drawn one, and lost two.

There’s not a lot to choose between the two teams right now, and home advantage will play a part – so how does that affect our SBOTOP tips for this fascinating top-flight clash? 

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 odds have the Blues as the favourites to win this game at a price of 1.86, while the Eagles can be backed at 3.34 with the draw is at 3.42.

I expect a reaction from the Blues, but equally the Eagles are growing in confidence, and they will fancy a win here. And with two teams going for it, I’m hoping for plenty of goals.  

   

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