Chelsea v Crystal Palace: Blues to shoot down Eagles in hail of goals

Neil Harvey
27 August 2015

A thus-far frustrated Mourinho may have reason to smile on Saturday

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A footballing bloodbath could be on the cards at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea taken on Crystal Palace. Neil Harvey's come up with what he hopes will be a magnificent seven bets to help us take advantage...

"For Chelsea not to score looks unthinkable, given that they've netted in their last 20 league games at Stamford Bridge. Hazard and Pedro out wide should cause havoc against a Palace side that loves to play gung-ho football on the road."

Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Saturday, 15:00

Chelsea

Last year Chelsea were defensively brilliant, the best in the Premier League. But they've started this year in uncharacteristically poor fashion at the back.

Branislav Ivanovic has looked out of form and could have his hands full against Crystal Palace's flying wingers this weekend. Skipper John Terry is suspended after last week's sending off, with Gary Cahill his likely replacement. All three of those by the way were recently named and shamed by Jose Mourinho for being out of form. Losing their captain and defensive stalwart presumably won't help Chelsea's cause as they look to tighten up a defence that's shipped seven goals in its first three games.

That leaking of goals can surely only be down to poor defensive form, with Mourinho remaining consistent in the way his team lines up. The 4-2-3-1 approach guided the Blues to the league title last season and Jose has stuck with it again this year.

Diego Costa spearheads the attack and could now find himself with more crosses to get on the end of following the signing of Pedro from Barcelona. The Spanish winger scored, and shone all round, against the Baggies last week. His arrival gives the Blues some added pace and therefore a new dimension that makes them look more dangerous. Pedro should start alongside Eden Hazard. And if Mourinho opts for the fit-again Oscar ahead of Willian, then that gives Chelsea a highly creative and attacking looking midfield.

Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew can be rightly proud of the team he's created. Top ten last season, they could repeat that feat based on their early showings this year. The speed of Wilfried Zaha out wide could trouble the sometimes cumbersome Branislav Ivanovic. Meanwhile, the skilful Yohan Cabaye was much coveted while at Newcastle and his signing was a definite coup for the Eagles.

Palace like to pack the midfield, but Zaha and Bolasie out wide are more inclined to go forward than back, which could leave their fullbacks at the mercy of Pedro and Hazard.

Several Palace regulars were involved in the Carling Cup game midweek that went to extra time. The effects of that run out could start to show late on Saturday. Captain Mile Jedinak is a major doubt after injuring his hamstring in that game.

Match Odds

Chelsea need a result if they're to keep in touch with Man City's flying start. Publicly unhappy about his team's performances to date, Mourinho is sure to have them fired up for this one. You have to go back two seasons to find the last time the Blues lost a league game at the Bridge. So the 1.374/11 available on a home win, while skinny, looks a steal.

Palace like to roll the dice away from home and that usually means goals. It's a tactic that works well for them, with the Eagles only losing six out of 19 away games last season and ending with a positive goal difference. The more Chelsea come at them, the more in theory it should suit their style and their form suggests they can find the net at some point.

That said, Alan Pardew's men rode their luck when winning at Norwich and their defence, which has been breached in all three games to date, could buckle in a match that may turn into a shootout. Despite being at home, Palace allowed Arsenal a generous 10 shots on goal a couple of weeks back. The anticipated tsunami of Chelsea attacks should prove too much for them here.

Under/Over 2.5 Goals

For Chelsea not to score looks unthinkable, given that they've netted in their last 20 league games at Stamford Bridge. Hazard and Pedro out wide should cause havoc against a Palace side that loves to play gung-ho football on the road.

But Palace too can be dangerous. Their 12 goals scored in the last five away games shows just how dangerous. With pace out wide and guile in the middle, they look capable of causing problems for a Chelsea defence that's not yet at its best.

Mourinho usually likes to shut games down once his team are ahead. But Pardew's men are like an annoying wasp, that just keeps coming for you. And that should ensure that this match has some sting in its tail.

Diego Costa to score

The lone striker backed by an array of talent and available at 1.804/5? A must have bet.

First Half Goals over 1.5

Chelsea should be fired-up to make a quick start, as they did last week, when they shot into a 3-0 lead over West Brom. I expect more of the same.

Half Time/Full Time

See above. And the 2.1011/10 price is much juicier than the 1.374/11 for Chelsea just to win.

Recommended Bets

5pts Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.738/11
3pts Back Chelsea to win Half Time and Full Time @ 2.1011/10
3pts Back Both teams to score @ 2.13
2pts Back Over 1.5 First Half Goals @ 2.526/4
2pts Back Diego Costa to score anytime @ 1.84/5
2pts Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.915/8
2pts Back Over 4.5 Goals @ 5.69/2