Hodgson’s Eagles seek more misery for Lampard’s Blues

Hodgson’s Eagles seek more misery for Lampard’s Blues

 

Tammy Abraham rescues a point for Chelsea late on at the Hawthorns (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Stamford Bridge Stadium

12:30pm

 

Premier League action returns this weekend after midweek engagements in cup games for some teams.

Chelsea, after spending so much on new recruits have failed to sparkle so far, one win in three and a rather disappointing showing against Westbrom at the Hawthorns last weekend means they must win this particular game or sink into despair, more misery for under pressure Frank Lampard.

Crystal Palace aren’t anywhere near Chelsea in terms of pedigree, but the small London club has huge history of breaking down the Blues at odd instances since the days of Jose Mourinho, the manner in which the Selhurst Park Landlords have started this season suggests they have higher ambitions outside struggling for survival and they just can’t be overlooked.

Palace already took the scalp of a big team this season, powered by two goal hero, Wilfried Zaha, they best Manchester United and were narrowly beaten by Everton, the approach to this by Chelsea must be positive, Palace are happy to defend deep and hit on the break, they don’t care about possession, in fact, majority of their wins have been with less possession but can you defend their counter attack?

 

In the middle for Chelsea, the question is, who gets the nod? Matteo Kovacic and Ngolo Kante are regulars with fans divided over Jorginho, depending on the formation, an expansive 4-3-3 can evolve to a dynamic 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-3-2 if they need goals and then try to have Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham on, they have to be positive, they have to be decisive.

 

The danger man for Palace will be you know who, but who will come to the party for Chelsea? Christian Pulisic is fit and ready to go, Kai Havertz need to prove why he cost so much and Thiago Silva must do better than he did at the Hawthorns, this will be a strong kicker to what the weekend holds.

 

Verdict: Both teams to score