Roy Hodgson will have another shot at winning his first points as Crystal Palace manager this weekend against Premier League holders, Chelsea. Hodgson’s Palace side are currently in the midst of the worst ever start to a Premier League season and have equalled the record for the longest run without scoring a goal in English football (7 games this season & 1 last season). Things won’t get any easier for Hodgson though as he faces a Chelsea side who will be looking to get back to winning ways after having a fortnight to reflect on their narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
When: 3:00PM, Saturday, October 14th, 2017
Where: Selhurst Park, London, England
Crystal Palace
Much has been written about Crystal Palace’s awful start to the new league season and Roy Hodgson has continued the terrible start that Frank de Boer engineered before he started. Another defeat this weekend would see Palace equal Liverpool’s start to the 1899/1900, the current worst in English league football. Goals have been the big issue for Palace this season and with Christian Benteke injured, the impetus will again fall on Bakary Sako to kick-start the season.
Chelsea
It has been something of a stop start season for Chelsea so far with Antonio Conte seeing his side lose to Manchester City and Burnley as well as dropping points against Arsenal. The injury to Alvaro Morata will hit Chelsea hard you feel and Michy Batshuayi will need to step up in his absence. The likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro will all be looking to fill the void of goals left by the injury to Morata and it will be interesting to see who Conte chooses to lead his attack on Saturday.
Talking Points
1. Crystal Palace have not beaten Chelsea at home since January 1993, when they ran out 3-1 winners in a League Cup clash.
2. Since Roy Hodgson took over the club, Crystal Palace have conceded an average of 3.33 goals per game.
3. Chelsea have a 100% record away from home this season, winning all three of their games away from Stamford Bridge.
Prediction
Crystal Palace have been terrible so far this season and on Saturday they will come against a well drilled, solid looking Chelsea team. I can’t see Hodgson breaking the clubs duck this weekend as I expect Chelsea to pick up a comfortable victory, even without their talismanic striker, Alvaro Morata.
Betting Tips (Ladbrokes)
Chelsea have been priced up as big favourites for this one at 2/5, whilst a home win for Palace is available at 8/1 and the draw is 4/1. I don’t think there’s much value to be had on backing Chelsea to win this one, so we have to delve a little deeper to find a more interesting bet. Chelsea are available at 11/10 to be winning at both HT/FT and I think that could definitely be worth a look as I think they will breeze to victory in this one.
HT/FT – Chelsea/Chelsea – 11/10 (Ladbrokes)