One of the most awaited matches in the Premier League pits Crystal Palace against Chelsea on January 4, 2025, at Selhurst Park, London. With both teams fighting for important points, here is all you need to know about this mouth-watering fixture, including match details, head-to-head statistics, and expert predictions. Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Match Details
- Date: January 4, 2025
- Time: 15:00 UTC / 6:00 PM EAT
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London
- Weather: 3°C (Cold conditions expected)
How to Watch
You can stream the match live on various platforms. Be sure to check the TV channels and online services available in your region to catch all the action.
Head-to-Head Stats
The two teams have played against each other several times in the Premier League, but the recent history is very one-sided, going Chelsea's way.
- Chelsea's Supremacy: Chelsea have beaten Crystal Palace 12 consecutive times in the Premier League. That is Chelsea's longest run of wins against one opponent in the league.
- Crystal Palace's Issues: Crystal Palace is actually unbeaten by Chelsea in their last 13 Premier League meetings; the most recent draw came in September 2024 (1-1). That result gave them their first point in a long while against the Blues, breaking a run of successive losses.
- Recent Matches:
- September 2024: Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace (at Stamford Bridge)
- December 2023: Chelsea 1-3 Crystal Palace (Chelsea won)
- February 2024: Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea (Chelsea won again, courtesy of Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez)
These stats evidence Chelsea's huge domination of this tie but Crystal Palace would bank on this form of late for a slip up which the Blues should offer them a chance for points.
Crystal Palace's Current Form
Currently, Crystal Palace is sitting at 17th in the Premier League table. They are having a pretty strenuous season and showed in that reverse fixture recently how they are capable of giving tough fights to top-level teams by ending that game at 1-1. It will be people like Eberechi Eze whom the onus will fall upon to create these chances and somehow break Chelsea's defense.
**Chelsea Current Form
Chelsea, on the other hand, are doing much better in the Premier League and currently sit in position number 3 in the standings. Given their good start to the season, the Blues have been expected to dominate possession and control the pace of the game. With key players like Reece James likely to return from injury, Chelsea's attacking options can get even more potent.
Key Players to Watch
- Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze (midfielder) - The creative spark and goals from Eze make him one of the most dreaded players in the league. He will be crucial to Palace's aspiration of beating Chelsea's winning run.
- Chelsea: Noni Madueke (forward) - His speed and skill may get him through the Palace backline at any moment.
Prediction
While Crystal Palace will be looking to break their long losing streak against Chelsea, the Blues' superior squad depth and recent form make them favorites for this match. Expect Chelsea to edge out a victory, but Palace's home advantage and attacking threat should not be underestimated.
- Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
Conclusion
This match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea will, without a doubt, be one heck of a fight as the Eagles try getting up and break their bad run against Chelsea; however, this Chelsea form and dominance in recent times between the two forces them to hold favor for these three points. Not forgetting the big guns such as Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, any moment could flip the game around for either of them.
Watch this space for live updates and more analysis as the match gets underway on January 4, 2025!