CRYSTALPALACE VS CHELSEA MATCH PREVIEW EXPERT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION

CRYSTAL PALACE VS CHELSEA MATCH PREVIEW EXPERT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION

TEAM NEWS

Jason Puncheon returns for Crystal Palace after a ban but Mathieu Flamini is out with a groin injury.

James Tomkins, Connor Wickham, Bakary Sako, Loic Remy, Pape Souare and Steve Mandanda remain sidelined.

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, who missed the win at Sunderland because of a knock, is fit but could be rested as part of squad rotation.

Willian could deputise again in place of Hazard, while Cesc Fabregas will hope to start ahead of Nemanja Matic.

Oscar may have played his last game for Chelsea as a move to China edges closer

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew on Chelsea's success under Antonio Conte: "The manager's done a great job but the world-class players are at the top of their game. And the best thing he's done is not the system: he's man-managed those people to perform better.

"He's got to grips with the toughness of the Premier League, and the physicality of it. He inherited players that were used to it, and he's been helped by that.

"[But] he's still done a fabulous job, the system suits them, and at the moment they look unbeatable.

"The best we can do is to make sure we give them a game which makes it as difficult as possible and hopefully get ourselves a result. It is possible."

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte on the likely departure of Oscar to China: "The Chinese market is a danger for all teams in the world. Not only for Chelsea but all teams in the world.

"But I think that we must be concentrated on our work. I think that this league is fantastic and to play in this league is a great opportunity, a great honour.

"You must be very proud to play in this league. Because I think now it's the best league in the world. For this season, I don't worry about this."

WHAT WE THINK

• Crystal Palace have now lost four of their last five home league matches and it doesn't get any easier as they welcome Chelsea on Saturday. The Eagles are only three points above the bottom three and have lost three of their last four at home to Chelsea.
• Chelsea have won 10 league games in a row and have already secured more victories this season than they managed in the whole of last season. They are the team to beat in the Premier League and it's hard to see where they will next drop points. They have only managed 1-0 wins in each of their last two matches, which may be a concern for Antonio Conte, but the run shouldn't stop here.
• PREDICTION- CHELSEA TO WIN BUT THEY ARE ALSO VERY LIKELY TO CONCEDE .