Chelsea score predictions vs. Crystal Palace: An uncomfortable affair

Chelsea hosts Crystal Palace in a seemingly must win match early in the season. Do The Pride of London writers think the Blues will take all three points?

One of the most memorable bouts following the Premier League’s restart was Chelsea’s shaky 3-2 win over its south London rivals just a few short months ago. The Blues’ thrilling victory earned them a spot in the top four, but it also validated the concerns supporters had about the voids in the team. Those holes have been filled with a summer splash, now it’s time to put those signings to the test.

The stakes in the Blues’ match with Crystal Palace are high, but how does The Pride of London staff see the match playing out?

Michael Malley: 1-0 Chelsea

Right now, the Blues just don’t look like the confident attacking force that many thought the team would be this season. Of course, this is partly due to injuries to Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, but the young American will be on the bench to start tomorrow’s match, according to Frank Lampard. Pulisic really impressed after lockdown last season, so the Blues will hope he can keep his form into 2020/21. I still don’t think Lampard has it all figured out and Palace has always given Chelsea trouble historically though, so this could be another difficult watch for supporters.

Varun Dani: 3-1 Chelsea

We’ll be better, not perfect. A few tense spells, but Werner and co. will come through in the end. Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy will have strong league debuts to give Lampard some respite heading into the speculative international break.

Scott Brant: 2-1 Chelsea

It’s official I’m sticking with it, the scoreline has to occur sooner or later, so why not predict it ’till it comes out? Chelsea desperately needs a win, and Crystal Palace isn’t exactly an easy stone to step over. The Blues’ defense will need to watch Palace’s attack. Werner to score now that he’s got that first goal out of the way, and Havertz to get the second.

Kevin Peacock: 2-1 Chelsea

At the best of times, a game against Crystal Palace is a challenge for Chelsea. Being one of the capital’s lesser teams means the Eagles will raise their game, Wilfried Zaha will almost certainly score. Roy Hodgson’s side has had a good start to the season, Lampard’s team has had mixed results. On paper, it’s a game the Blues should win, but so was West Brom. However, I think the team—both playing and management—will have learnt more about themselves during the few games played so far. I expect a reaction, goals from Werner and N’Golo Kante.

Matt Hancock-Bruce: 3-2 Chelsea

Palace is one of the hottest teams in the league right now and it is fair to expect Zaha to trouble the shaky Chelsea defence. However, Crystal Palace is far from world beaters and here’s to hoping Werner can lead the Blues to victory after opening is account earlier this week.

Hugo Amaya: 1-1 Draw

Palace is never an easy opponent for Chelsea and this time won’t be any different. Palace will sit back most of the game and try to hit back on the counter. Chelsea will concede the first goal, and score the equalizer on the second half.  As usual, Chelsea will dominate the game in terms of possession and shots on target. But the Blues’ only reward will be a point.

Nate Hofmann: 2-1 Chelsea

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Chelsea will dominate possession, create plenty of chances, score a couple of early goals, get pegged back in the second half and hold on for dear life until the final whistle mercifully comes. New season, same nonsense. Things will get better once Lampard can rely on a more settled starting XI, but it’s still very much a work in progress. For now, we’ll just have to keep white-knuckling it for 90 minutes at a time.

Abhishek Pancholi: 3-0 Chelsea

I’m banking on us keeping a clean sheet, encouraged by Mendy’s performance in the energy drink cup. It might be worth placing a bet on Werner to score any time, and for Havertz to add to his assist tally.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2-1 Chelsea

The Blues underestimated West Brom and paid the price, they will not do the same here. The players know that questions are now being asked about the manager, and they will want to do everything to show that they are not the problem. Crystal Palace beat Manchester United comfortably in an away fixture, it is capable of doing to same to Chelsea too.

Michael DeVito: 3-0 Chelsea

Mendy gets the clean sheet; Werner, Havertz and Pulisic notch the goals.

Jake Brigstock: 2-1 Chelsea

I can see Chelsea starting brightly and getting a couple of goals in the first half, and then controlling the game to an extent against a Palace side that has started well in the league. I can see Palace nicking a goal on the counter later on in the game, but the Blues will hold out to win.

Barrett Rouen: 3-1 Chelsea

I even want to go 2-2 or 3-2, as well. Truth is though, I think the Blues will continue to improve defensively. But they won’t keep an actual clean sheet until Lampard decides who his back line is going to be and then lets them play together for 10 matches. The defensive issues are hilariously predictable and childish. You know: forgetting a man at the back post, not moving in line with your partners, MISSING HEADERS. This is the sort of stuff experienced defenders who have relationships with one another that are longer than the pre-match talk always get right. There’s no way Chelsea keeps a clean sheet because Crystal Palace has at least one relevant and consummate professional on its books—that’s usually more than the back line can deal with. Shame. Blues still win though; Tammy and Werner to score.

Travis Tyler: 3-2 Chelsea

The Blues push there way ahead early, but the lackadaisical defending doesn’t go away. Crystal Palace work for it, but small moments make the game tighter than it should have been by the end.

Gabe Henderson: 3-1 Chelsea

The Blues will dominate the match, but a lapse in concentration will see the Eagles hit them back for a goal. In the end, three points will be captured and three goals will be scored.

Tan Yi Hao: 4-1 Chelsea

The Blues simply have to win big here going into the international break. It has not been a good start to the season and closing this first chapter with a win would serve to steady the ship before yet another long lay-off.

What are your score predictions for the match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!