Chelsea returns from the international break with their roster still healthy and a five point lead over their closest title challenger Manchester City. Things have been going well for the Blues this season after their summer additions have helped fix some of the lingering issues that held them back last season.
Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea live stream: How to watch EPL online, TV schedule and more
Chelsea return from the international break looking to keep their strong league form going as they face Crystal Palace.
Jose Mourinho's side finished strong before the break, defeating Arsenal 2-0 in a match that featured the Blues manager getting in a bit of a touchline tussle with Arsene Wenger. Now the Blues face 15th place Crystal Palace is the first meeting of the season between the two London-based clubs.
It's an important match for Chelsea to both perform well in and get points from with a busy stretch of games ahead that includes Champions League matches and dates against both Manchester United and Liverpool. Taking three points off Palace would be the perfect start.
Key Player: Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Diego Costa is good. He’s really good. He’s adapted to the Premier League like someone sliding into a particularly comfortable jacket that you haven’t worn in awhile. His impact for Chelsea this season has been huge, giving the Blues a consistent goal scorer, a problem that plagued them down the stretch of last season. Most importantly, Costa survived the international break with his hamstring still in tact. It may not be perfect, but it’s not any worse and it won’t keep him from playing. Good for the Blues, bad for Palace.
Key Matchup: Palace central defense vs. Diego Costa
The unenviable task of trying to contain, or at least slowing down the prolific Blue striker, falls to the Palace defenders Damien Delaney and Adrian Mariappa (unless Scott Dunn makes a miraculous recovery). Considering that Palace haven't shown a great propensity for stopping anyone this season having conceded 12 goals in seven matches. Even if the defense is able to mark Costa out of the match, Chelsea's other weapons will affect the match. It's a truly unenviable task.
Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions
Out: Scott Dann (knee).
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
In Doubt: Andre Schurrle (virus).knee).
Chelsea will asses Andre Schurrle ahead of the match after he missed Germany’s last Euro qualifier with an illness. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to play after suffering a head injury against Arsenal, as he featured for Belgium over the break. Palace’s only injury issues is defender Scott Dann who is sidelined with a knee injury. He’s expected to be replaced by Adrian Mariappa.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Selhurst Park, London, England
TV: NBCSN, Mun2 (U.S.), TSN4 (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra, Deportes Telemundo En Vivo (U.S.)
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