We're really at the sharp end of the Premier League season now, with Chelsea currently league leaders by just a point. However, if Manchester City win their two games in hand, they'll go three clear at the top. That means Chelsea can ill-afford to drop points, and really shouldn't away at relegations strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea: Preview and TV schedule
Crystal Palace continue their fight against the drop at home to title-chasers Chelsea on Saturday, with both sides needing all the points they can get.
Paul Gilham
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Sure, Tony Pulis has made Crystal Palace hard to beat, but they've still not won a game in comfortably over a month. They're just a place and three points clear of the drop zone, and would fall into the bottom three if Sunderland win their game in hand.
For this match, Palace will be without Dwight Gayle through injury, though hope to have Marouane Chamakh back from a hamstring strain in time to play. Chelsea will certainly have Samuel Eto'o, Ashley Cole, Marco van Ginkel and Ramires unavailable, though otherwise José Mourinho shouldn't have any concerns.
Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions
Out: Dwight Gayle (ankle). In doubt: Marouane Chamakh (hamstring).
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Samuel Eto’o (hamstring), Ashley Cole (knee), Marco van Ginkel (knee), Ramires (suspended). In doubt: None.
Projected lineups
Crystal Palace: Julián Speroni; Joel Ward, Damien Delaney, Scott Dann, Adrian Mariappa; Yannick Bolasie, Joe Ledley, Mile Jedinak, Jason Puncheon; Tom Ince; Cameron Jerome.
Chelsea: Petr Čech; César Azpilicueta, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanović; Frank Lampard, Nemanja Matić; Eden Hazard, Oscar, André Schürrle; Fernando Torres.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 11 a.m. ET
Venue: Selhurst Park, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)
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