Guus Hiddink's return to Chelsea as interim manager hasn't yet been a particularly exciting one, with the Dutchman having overseen a win and two draws since replacing José Mourinho at the helm. He'll be looking to get back to winning ways when his side travel to face Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace on Sunday, though with the Eagles soaring high in the table, that will be a tough task for the Blues.
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Crystal Palace will look to extend their unbeaten run at home to Chelsea on Sunday.
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Palace head into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, including a 5-1 smashing of Pardew's former club Newcastle United. They're up in fifth place, a whole 11 points clear of Chelsea in the table, and will fancy their chances of extending that lead with a win on home soil. They're yet to lose at Selhurst Park this season, though they've admittedly drawn eight of the 10 matches they've played in front of their own fans.
Key factor: Will Palace have enough firepower?
The hectic Christmas schedule has taken its toll on Palace, who head into this game without many attacking options. Young strikers Connor Wickham and Dwight Gayle are both injured, while Pardew has admitted that the Eagles are missing the "spark" provided by winger Yannick Bolasie. It remains to be seen whether they'll have sufficient firepower in this match to pose Chelsea's defence problems.
Recent history
Recent meetings between these sides have been surprisingly even. Crystal Palace won the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge back in August, though lost when these sides met at Selhurst Park last season. Not since Chelsea beat Palace at the Bridge back in 2005 has this game been won by a margin of more than a single goal. Given the way these sides are going at present, there’s no reason to suggest this game will be any less tight.
Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions
Out: Kwesi Appiah (knee); Bakary Sakho, Dwight Gayle (hamstring); Yannick Bolasie (hip); Connor Wickham (calf); Yohan Cabaye (suspended). In doubt: Damien Delaney (knock).
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Radamel Falcao (thigh). In doubt: Loïc Rémy (calf); Gary Cahill (ankle); Cesc Fàbregas (illness).
Palace will seriously miss influential midfielder Cabaye and star winger Bolasie, who are suspended and injured respectively. Fitness problems also rule out Wickham and Gayle, leaving the Eagles rather short-staffed in attack.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s only certain absentee is striker Falcao, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from a long-term muscular injury. He could be joined on the sidelines by defender Cahill, midfielder Fábregas and striker Rémy, who all face late fitness tests.
Match date/time: Sun., Jan. 3, 8:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local
Venue: Selhurst Park, London, England
TV: NBCSN (US); TSN (Canada); Sky Sports 1/HD (UK)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US); Sportsnet World Now (Canada); Sky Go (UK)
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