As the Premier League season continues, a London derby of significant intrigue is upon us with Crystal Palace set to host Chelsea at Selhurst Park on February 12, 2024. Both teams have had varying fortunes leading up to this match, making the encounter one to watch for fans and bettors alike.
Match analysis
In reviewing recent performances, both Crystal Palace and Chelsea have shown signs of both resilience and vulnerability. Crystal Palace, currently sitting in the 15th position, have had a mixed bag of results. Their last ten matches in all competitions have yielded three wins, one draw, and six losses. Notably, they have struggled to keep opponents at bay, conceding a total of 19 goals over these games.
Chelsea, on the other hand, seems to have found a bit of form recently after a rough patch, sitting at 11th in the league standings. Their last ten games show an improvement, with five wins, one draw, and four losses. This uptick in form is demonstrated by their capacity to find the back of the net more consistently, scoring 21 goals across these matches despite facing some formidable opponents.
Recent form
- **Crystal Palace's Recent Form**: Picked up 9 points from a possible 30. They have scored 11 goals but alarmingly conceded 24 in their last ten fixtures. A notable pattern is their struggle against high-scoring teams, as seen in their heavy losses to Arsenal (5-0) and Brighton (4-1).
- **Chelsea's Recent Form**: Chelsea have gained 15 points from the last 30 available, with their offense coming alive in recent games, evidenced by their 6-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough in the League Cup. The team's form indicates a resurgence, despite a heavy 4-1 defeat to Liverpool showing they still have vulnerabilities to address.
Head to head
- Chelsea has won all of the last five meetings between the two teams.
- Chelsea's wins have been by a margin of at least one goal in these matches.
- Crystal Palace has struggled to score against Chelsea, with only 1 goal in their last five encounters.
Percentage of wins/draws (last five meetings):
- Crystal Palace wins: 0%
- Chelsea wins: 100%
- Draws: 0%
Prediction
Taking into account the recent form of both teams and their head-to-head record, the forthcoming match leans towards being favorable for Chelsea. Crystal Palace has shown a lack of defensive solidity in recent games which could be exploited by a Chelsea side that has found its scoring boots.
However, given both teams' inconsistencies, it's challenging to predict a high-scoring affair confidently. Chelsea's recent form, alongside their historical dominance in this fixture, provides enough reason to lean towards their victory but perhaps by a slender margin.
**Betting Tip**: Chelsea to win.
**Additional Tip**: Considering the defensive frailties of both sides but recognizing their struggle for consistent form, under 2.5 goals in the match could be a prudent bet. Moreover, betting on Chelsea to win either half could also offer value, acknowledging their recent habit of finding crucial goals.
Regardless of the outcome, this London derby promises to be an intriguing affair, potentially loaded with tactical battles and individual brilliance.
