Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Prediction & Betting Tips (12 February)

Stuck in the second part of the standings, Crystal Palace is currently 14th in the Premier League and is 5 points ahead of the first relegated team. On the tough side, the London team has only pocketed 2 victories in the last 12 days, for 3 draws and 7 defeats. After having to work hard to get the upper hand over bottom-place Sheffield United 3-2, Roy Hodgson's men were soundly beaten on the Brighton pitch last weekend 4-1. Eliminated from the two National Cups, they can now concentrate on remaining in the Premier League. Like the previous year, Chelsea are in a tough situation this season. Far from the expectations displayed at the start of the championship, the Blues now occupy 11th place in the Premier League and should have great difficulty returning to European places.

They recently showed a surge by stringing together 3 victories in a row. Unfortunately, Chelsea did not confirm subsequently and remain on 2 losses suffered at Liverpool 4-1 and against Wolverhampton last weekend 2-4. This week, Cole Palmer's teammates booked their ticket to the round of 16 of the FA Cup following their 1-3 victory at Aston Villa. This confirms their good performances in the National Cups since they are qualified for the final of the League Cup which will pit them against Liverpool.

Crystal Palace remains without the usual starters Ward (defender) and Doucouré (midfielder) and replacement Holding (defender), injured. Also absent on the last day, the important playmaker Eze and the young midfielder Rak-Sakyi are, for their part, uncertain. French striker Mateta (3 goals in PL) found the net on the last day. He recently overtook his compatriot Edouard (6 goals in PL) in the hierarchy. The influential French winger Olise (6 goals and 3 assists in 11 PL matches) is available. Crystal Palace got hold of the full-back Munoz (Genk) and the very promising midfielder Wharton (19 years old, Blackburn) this winter.

As for Chelsea, goalkeeper n°1 Sanchez, captain James, long-absent defender Fofana and potential starters Cucurella, Lavia and Ugochukwu. Added to this are the uncertainties surrounding the participation of replacement Chalobah and interesting defender Colwill. Playmaker Gallagher and striker Jackson (7 goals in PL) contributed to this week's qualification for the FA Cup. Former Cityzen Palmer (10 goals and 4 assists in the PL) is available, as is French international Nkunku. Not very active on the transfer market this winter, Chelsea decided to loan left-back Maatsen (Dortmund), midfielder Andrey Santos (Strasbourg) and attackers Datro Fofana (Burnley) and Broja (Fulham).