Chelsea three key clashes: Blues look for momentum against Palace

Chelsea's French defender Kurt Zouma (R) tangles with Crystal Palace's Zaire-born Belgian striker Christian Benteke (C) during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park in south London on July 7, 2020. (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Emerson of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 14, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. Crystal Palace’s momentum versus Chelsea’s lack thereof

It is far, far too early into the season to make sweeping declarations as to how a team will ultimately do. That being said, with matches coming thick and fast, there is probably just enough to say momentum has started.

Crystal Palace has momentum. Despite barely surviving relegation last year, they have seemingly started the season closer to what was expected of them last year. A good win against Southampton was followed up by a gutsy away win to Manchester United (with a boring, albeit heavily rotated, draw and penalty victory against Bournemouth in between). They lost to Everton last weekend, but on the whole Palace will be feeling pretty good about themselves ahead of Chelsea.

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The Blues have very little momentum. A win against Brighton was a harder fight than it should have been. The club held its own against Liverpool when 11 v 11, but the red card killed any chance at a result from that match. West Brom was a fustercluck. Tottenham started well, but as soon as the North London side started trying Chelsea fell back until they tripped. Penalties are a lottery, but that doesn’t mean it was not gut wrenching for Mason Mount and company.

The long and short of it is Palace comes into the match walking on airs while Chelsea is feeling the weight of expectation. The first real test of the match for the Blues will be tipping that scale the other way, but that is a hard fight to win when starting from behind.

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