Chelsea are in south London, hoping to add to Crystal Palace’s season of farcical misery. The Blues will look to clip the Eagles’ wings early to prepare for the Champions League and experiment with squad rotation.
Antonio Conte will be watching his young players like a hawk to see who may have a place in the squad over the following five games.Chelsea’s feathers are still a bit ruffled over Charly Musonda’s Instagram post, but Ethan Ampadu and Kyle Scott are ready to leave the nest in their Premier League debuts.
Barrett Rouen: Crystal Palace 0 – 3 Chelsea. The best thing about Crystal Palace this season has been Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek ,and he is both injured and unable to play against his parent club. Crystal Palace are on the downturn and probably going down next season.
Travis Tyler: 0 – 2. Not gonna lie, teams with birds on their badges scare me as Chelsea always seem to get their unexpected losses against them. This one will go 0-0 until the 88th minute when a highly-juggled squad gets the breakthrough goal… off the back of Hennessey’s head followed by a penalty goal in extra time because this Crystal Palace team is that silly and there should be nothing to fear.
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Abhishek Pancholi: 1 – 4. Michy Batshuayi finally gets his opportunity and grabs it with both hands. He scores a brace, Hazard notches one and WIllian adds a late flourish. Unfortunately, Chelsea also become the first team to concede a goal against Crystal Palace due to a hilarious mix-up between David Luiz and Gary Cahill that leaves Antonio Conte fuming on the touchline
Daniel Mcclue: 2 – 3. The only thing I’m certain of with this game is that Palace will score. I’ve no idea how it’s going to go. I’m half-scared Palace will actually go so far as to win. The Eagles take a 2-0 lead before halftime with the Blues flapping. Antonio Conte goes bold, and after inexplicably starting Willian he brings on Michy Batshuayi, who quickly glides in two goals. Kyle Scott is the hero, scoring a 94th minute winner with a 35-yard thunderbolt, soaring its way into my heart.
George Perry: 0 – 4. Chelsea will have plenty to crow about after cruising to a win over the not-so-super Eagles. All of Chelsea’s goals will come from the wings, with Marcos Alonso netting a goal-of-the-month nominee off a free kick.
Kevin Peacock: 1 – 3. Obviously, Chelsea will be the first team to give Crystal Palace a goal, that’s a given. A defensive mix-up allows Christian Benteke a chance and he takes it. David Luiz fires home a free-kick to equalise. Two late goals by Michy Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas see Chelsea run out winners.
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Joel Slagle: 1 – 2. Without N’Golo Kante’s superhuman presence in midfield, Crystal Palace will finally break their duck for the season. Even without Alvaro Morata, Chelsea will still manage to put two past a lifeless Crystal Palace defense.
Rupert Meadows: 1 – 2. Crystal Palace score a rogue early goal from a defensive error but Chelsea bring it back. Just a shaky game that goes down to the wire.
Scott Brant: 1 – 2. Being from Philadelphia, I am partial to all things Eagles. But Chelsea will dominate the match, only allowing one late goal off a deflection or own goal. Injuries allow others to step up, but I’ll be looking for Bakayoko to have a huge match dominating the midfield.
Next: Chelsea will not fall to pieces over six games without N'Golo Kante