Crystal Palace’s recent upswing in form, which has seen them lose just two of their last 11 Premier League games, faces a stern challenge in their 2025 opener as they prepare to host Chelsea at Selhurst Park.
However, those two losses came in London derbies, a concerning trend that coincides with a long-standing struggle against the Blues. Palace’s last victory in this fixture dates back to October 2017, with the Eagles enduring a difficult run of 14 defeats and a solitary draw since then.
Chelsea’s dominance in this matchup is well-documented, with no team in Premier League history inflicting more defeats on Palace. Yet, the Eagles managed to break a 14-match losing streak in the reverse fixture earlier this season, securing a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Turning that into a positive result at home, where Oliver Glasner’s side has struggled this season with only two league victories, will be a tough task. Only the promoted teams and Wolverhampton Wanderers have amassed fewer points at home during this period.
Chelsea’s end to 2024 was far from ideal, with a winless run in their final three fixtures effectively extinguishing any lingering hopes of a title challenge. Head coach Enzo Maresca, who had always tempered expectations, admitted he had “expected this kind of moment” following a 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Monday. The loss was particularly historic, as Chelsea became the first team to fall at Portman Road in the Premier League in over two decades.
Despite dominating possession and firing 20 shots, the Blues failed to find the net, marking their second consecutive away game without a goal after drawing a blank at Everton. This barren spell on the road raises questions for Maresca, as Chelsea’s last sequence of three league matches away from home without scoring dates back to February 2019 under Maurizio Sarri. The pressure is mounting, as another poor result could see Chelsea slip out of the top four.
For Crystal Palace, Ismaïla Sarr has been a standout performer, with three of his four league goals this season coming in the first half. However, his only home goal came in a heavy 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, highlighting Palace’s inconsistency at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who was benched against Ipswich, could return to the starting lineup. Jackson’s ability to make an early impact has been evident, as seven of his nine goals this season have come in the first half, including the opener in the reverse fixture against Palace.
Selhurst Park has not been a fortress for Palace this season, with the team scoring first in just two home league games—a joint-low figure across the division. This lack of early dominance has been a recurring issue and one they must address if they hope to secure a positive result against Chelsea.
With both teams seeking a strong start to the new year, this clash promises to be a fascinating contest. Palace will look to build on their recent resilience and end their dismal run against the Blues, while Chelsea aim to rediscover their attacking edge and maintain their position in the league’s upper echelons. The stage is set for an intriguing battle at Selhurst Park.
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