Follow live coverage of Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is expected to return from injury for Chelsea's clash against Crystal Palace Getty

Crystal Palace take on Chelsea in the weekend Premier League clash at Selhurst Park on 17 December, Saturday.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is at 12.30pm GMT. Live coverage of the match is available on Sky Sports 1 and 1HD. Radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Catch the highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.30pm GMT.

Overview

Crystal Palace are on a poor run of form ahead of their clash against league leaders Chelsea having won just one game in their last 10 in the Premier League. Alan Pardew has been under considerable pressure in recent months owing to his team's poor showing and a positive result against the in-form Blues could go a long way in helping them get back to winning ways.

The Eagles boss' future at the club was in question in the last month, but their 3-0 win over Southampton eased the pressure with the hierarchy backing Pardew. However, they have not won since and will be the underdogs going into the London derby.

Chelsea, on the other hand, look favourites for the title having won 10 straight games in the league. Antonio Conte's team look unbeatable at the moment after the Italian manager changed formation from a flat back four to a 3-4-3 and have dominated teams since.

The Blues have dispatched Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and United along the way and they will be a daunting prospect for any team in the league at the moment. Eden Hazard, who missed the game against Sunderland on Wednesday due to a minor injury, is expected to return for the trip to Selhurst Park, which will see them back to full strength.

Match Stat: Chelsea have won five of their last six Premier League games away to Crystal Palace, keeping clean sheets in four of those matches.

What Managers say:

Alan Pardew [on Antonio Conte and Chelsea]: "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." (Via BBC Sport)

Antonio Conte [on Oscar's potential China move]: "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." (Via BBC Sport)

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Crystal Palace to win: 11/2
  • Draw: 10/3
  • Chelsea to win: 11/20

Team News

Crystal Palace

Possible XI: Hennessey, Ward, Delaney, Kelly, Dann, Lee, Flamini, McArthur, Cabaye, Benteke, Zaha.

Chelsea

Possible XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Willian.