Premier League: Blues can triumph at Selhurst Park to get domestic campaign back on track

Chelsea return to Premier League action following their Club World Cup triumph and need an immediate improvement in their domestic form. The Blues are third, seven points behind Liverpool and 16 adrift of Manchester City, with Manchester United and West Ham breathing down their necks following one win in six. Should Arsenal win their two games in hand, they could also move within touching distance.

Palace have yet to claim a league win in 2022 and while they are nine points clear of the relegation zone, it is still a bit close for comfort with no one team marooned. The Blues have won the last eight meetings between the sides and they are at 1.65 to continue their domination. A Palace win is at 5.8 with a draw at 3.75.

Palace are without a win in 2022

Palace to feel Gallagher’s absence

Patrick Vieira’s side have won just five games all season with two victories in their last 13 Premier League games of which they have drawn five and lost six. They are winless in their last five since a 3-0 victory over Norwich in December.

Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher has been key to Palace this season but he cannot play against his parent club. The midfielder’s absence will be keenly felt in terms of his all-round game, winning possession in the middle while also creating and scoring.

The onus will be on Odsonne Edouard and Wilfried Zaha up front with each on six goals, one behind Gallagher. Edouard - with six in 15 starts - is at 3.6 for anytime goalscorer while Zaha is at 4.7 to add to his three goals against the Blues.

Lukaku to continue Abu Dhabi form

Romelu Lukaku played a key role in Chelsea’s victory in Abu Dhabi, scoring against Al-Hilal and on target against Palmeiras in the final.

The Belgium striker, who got his fifth league goal of the season at the end of 2021, is at 1.99 for anytime goalscorer while Hakim Ziyech - with two in two league games - is at 3.5.

With 24, Thomas Tuchel’s side have amassed one more point on the road this season than at home.

So too have they been mean in defence, conceding eight - the joint-lowest total along with Manchester City and Wolves - and Chelsea to win to nil is at 2.56.

Expect Palace to be stubborn

The teams’ form does not hint at a goal-fest at Selhurst Park while Gallagher’s value and influence will be underlined in his absence.

Mason Mount is a doubt with an ankle issue but the Blues should have too much to see off Palace although the hosts will no doubt provide stubborn opposition.

Chelsea to win at under 3.5 goals is at 2.26 while the Blues to win and both teams to score is at 3.65.

Recommended Bets:

Chelsea to win and both teams to score @ 3.65

Hakim Ziyech as anytime goalscorer @ 3.5

Odsonne Edouard as anytime goalscorer @ 3.65