Chelsea predictions vs. Crystal Palace: No Eden Hazard, no problem

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on a hot streak and Chelsea host his loan club from last year. Even without Eden Hazard, the Blues should be able to handle Crystal Palace without much trouble.

Crystal Palace have a slight reputation as a Chelsea bogey team, but the Blues are 14-5-5 against them going back to the pre-Premier League era. The last draw was in 1995, and on both teams’ form, Maurizio Sarri should add another three points to his first season’s start.

Gabe Henderson: Chelsea 4 – 1 Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace and West Ham. Other than being clubs based in London, what do they have in common? They’re always a thorn in Chelsea’s side. Not this time, not at Stamford Bridge. Even though Hazard is only going to play one half or so, the Blues have displayed their ability to score without the Belgian. That’s not news the rest of the league wants to hear.

Scott Brant: 3 – 0. I really like to Chelsea to play very well versus Crystal Palace, with or without Eden Hazard for the whole match. Ross Barkley will continue his recent form with a goal and an assist. Crystal Palace have been garbage as of late, and the Blues shouldn’t really face any resistance. Palace does have a few bright spots, but over the last five, three teams have kept Crystal Palace scoreless. A clean sheet and dominating performance for the Blues. Mateo Kovacic and Olivier Giroud or Alvaro Morata – whichever starts to score.

Hugo Amaya: 2 – 0. An important win for the Blues as Maurizio Sarri continues his unbeaten streak. Crystal Palace will try to make it difficult but the Blues will rise above them. With Olivier Giroud opening the scoring (and his account for the season) and a goal from a corner, two goals will be enough for the three points.

Brendan McDonnell: 2 – 0. It’s been a nice little run for the Blues recently and I fully expect that to continue. Expect to see Ross Barkley’s fingerprints all over this result. I will keep saying Alvaro Morata will score because I want it to work out SO badly.

Kevin Peacock: 3 – 1. These games have a tendency to be tricky for Chelsea. Palace will undoubtedly raise their game but with the Premier League A-team back together (perhaps minus Hazard) Sarri’s modus operandi is used to full effect.

The big question is: Does Sarri try to shoe-horn Ruben Loftus-Cheek into the starting XI? It may not be a bad move given the youngster’s loan period with the Eagles last season. He will, after all, have faced them many times in training sessions.

Alvaro Morata, coming back to full confidence, chips in with a goal. Marcos Alonso and Pedro grab the other two. It’s difficult to predict a clean sheet for Chelsea at the moment as every defender appears to have a mistake in his game and Wilfried Zaha does like to score against Chelsea.

Abhishek Pancholi: 2 – 1. This game won’t be as easy as some of the others Chelsea have played this season. Palace may not be in the best of form, but in Zaha they have a player who can cause migraines for Sarri’s preferred central defensive pair. I expect Chelsea to grind a nervy victory with Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante getting on the scoresheet.

Barrett Rouen: 3 – 1. Chelsea will continue to look oddly better without Eden Hazard and grow that sense from people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Wilfried Zaha will continue to make me think about what if Chelsea signed him, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will make a good case for himself again. And I’ve never thought I would say this before in my life but Chelsea will welcome back David Luiz to solidify the defence. Yes, it is going to be a very weird, weird day.