Chelsea three key clashes: Blues look for momentum against Palace

3. Whichever team wins dominance of wide areas wins the match

Matches against Crystal Palace are always matches won and lost in the wide areas. Last season, Palace averaged just 25 percent of their attacks down the middle. Chelsea averaged just 28 percent between the two matches. That leaves a whole lot of time on both flanks for both sides.

This should come as some concern to Chelsea, though the overall concept hasn’t really changed from last season. The wingers, which aren’t really wingers but more inside forwards, will tuck in with the fullbacks providing all the width. But both fullbacks pushing up leaves a lot of space in behind them for just two centerbacks to cover. Three at the back (particularly a 3-4-3) could help minimize that damage, but Chelsea won both matches last season in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 shape.

That being said, Palace played both matches in a 4-5-1 and this season they are playing in more of a 4-4-2. That isn’t unusual at all for them (Roy Hodgson often goes between both shapes), but it does imply most of their attack will be direct and down wide areas.

Whichever team’s wingers and fullbacks push the opponent’s back wins the match. It is really that simple. If Chelsea gets pegged back or caught out as their wingers and fullbacks push up, they lose. If Palace gets pinned in or similarly gets caught in behind (less likely), they lose. Rarely is a match so clearly defined by a particular area of the pitch, but that is how it’ll be with Palace.

What key clashes do you think will determine the match? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!