ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PREVIEW - CHELSEA VS CRYSTAL PALACE

English Premier

2024-09-01 - Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 1st September 2024 - Kick Off 1:30pm

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Chelsea

Thursday night may not have gone perfectly, but Chelsea have made it through to the Conference League Group Stage and this is a competition they could seriously win. Two years ago West Ham United did that and silverware is important for the Chelsea board to justify the decisions they have made in recent transfer windows.

More signings cannot be ruled out, despite the fact that Enzo Maresca has outcasted a number of well known players, but Chelsea will not worry about outside criticism of the approach they are taking. The Blues have picked up 3 points in the Premier League after an impressive 2-6 win at Wolves, but the defeat in Servette underlines the work Chelsea still have to do in order to be a consistent threat.

Chelsea have won 2 and lost 2 of their opening 4 games of the season, while they have conceded at least two goals in 3 of those matches. The side did beat Servette 2-0 at home in their last fixture played at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have won 6 of their last 7 at home in all competitions.

Reece James and Romeo Lavia are both set to miss out. The manager has chosen to make changes to his starting eleven depending on the opponent and more moves cannot be ruled out.

Crystal Palace

With time running out before the close of transfer window, Crystal Palace are hoping to bring in a couple of new faces. Keeping hold of Marc Guehi looks very important for Oliver Glasner's team, although the fans will not be sitting easily until the summer transfer window officially closes and the England international remains at Selhurst Park.

It feels important for the club as much as the fans after a slow start to the new season in the Premier League, although Crystal Palace have won a League Cup tie. Losses to Brentford and West Ham United in the Premier League means there is a bit of pressure on the team to pick up something positive before the September international break, even if they have another tough game to play.

Crystal Palace had ended last season in fine form, but the defeats in both Premier League games this past month have dented some of the confidence. The crushing 4-0 win over Norwich City in the League Cup Second Round will have helped, while The Eagles have only lost 2 of their last 6 away Premier League fixtures.

The squad is going to be similar to the one that was available to Oliver Glasner this past week. Signings of the likes of Eddie Nketiah may be pushed through before the summer transfer window closes, but those new faces may have to wait a couple of weeks before debuts can be made.

Head to Head

Chelsea did the Premier League double over Crystal Palace last season, but both fixtures were played before Oliver Glasner took over as manager of the latter.

Late goals were needed in both of those victories, and Chelsea have now won 7 in a row at Stamford Bridge against this London rival.

Prediction

The 2-6 win over Wolves is an impressive scoreline for any team to produce and especially for a Chelsea team that had opened the season with a 0-2 home defeat to Manchester City.

They did not play badly against the Champions, but the scoreline flattered them at Molineux and you have to believe that Chelsea will have to go through some tough times as they look to really put some consistency together.

Losing in Servette underlined the point, but Enzo Maresca will simply be glad to see his team move into the Conference League Group Stage.

Chelsea can now pay attention to returning home and adding to the three points picked up last week as they prepare to host Crystal Palace in this London derby. The Blues have won 7 in a row at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace and Chelsea will feel that their abilities in the final third will create chances against this opponent.

Oliver Glasner's men won during the week in the League Cup, but two losses in the Premier League to open this season will have dented some of the confidence. Crystal Palace have not played poorly, but they have lost Joachim Andersen to Fulham and Marc Guehi has been playing through the distraction of being linked with a move away to Newcastle United.

It may take a bit of time for players to settle and Crystal Palace could be vulnerable.

They will cause problems with the attacking players that Glasner can call upon, especially against this Chelsea defence, but containing the hosts will be the test.

Doing so feels unlikely and Chelsea may be able to round off a mixed week with another Premier League victory before the September international break.

The Pick :

Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Chelsea to Win & Over 1 Total Goal (Bet Builder) at 1.72 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)