Saturday 10th March 2018
Chelsea v Crystal Palace 17:30
Having been 2-0 up against Manchester United on Monday night and losing 2-3 then we’ll have to see if that has impacted the Crystal Palace side. They need to pick themselves up off the ground and quick. However, things don’t get much easier here as next up for the Eagles is a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.
That lose saw Palace remain in the relegation zone and with only 9 games left then games and points are running out for Roy Hodgson’s men – they are now around 3.00 to be relegated.
On the other hand, are in a battle of their own – the race for a top four finish. They come into week 30 in fifth and 5 points off Spurs in 4th so this looks a ‘must-win’ match for Conti’s men if they want to remain in the Champions League race – they are around 3.25 to finish in the top four.
Given their current league positions, the match betting leading into this game is extremely one-sided with Chelsea 1.28 to get all three points, with the Draw 5.00 and Palace as big as 11.00.
However, if you are debating about lumping on Chelsea at that short price then be warned! Palace actually beat Chelsea 2-1 at Selhurst earlier this season in the league, while the last two repeats of this fixture also finished 1-2 to Palace – if you think history will repeat itself again then 1-2 can be backed at 41.00.
Chelsea’s Belgium-born midfielder – Eden Hazard – is their top league scorer this season on 11 goals, so at 4.33 (1st) or 1.90 (anytime) he’s a player to have on your shortlist, while Palace’s Milivojevic is their main man with 7 league goals this season – he’s 26.00 (1st) or 9.50 (anytime), plus don’t forget he’s also their main penalty taker.
With NO draws in the last 13 head-to-heads we tend get a result here too, but the pick here is for goals. Palace have shown in recent matches they are more than capable of finding the back of the net against the big sides, plus – don’t forget – they’ve scored two in all of their last three against Chelsea. Add in that Palace are also conceding goals at the back then this match looks set-up for plenty of action.
A draw is no good to Chelsea in a game like this, especially as they are playing catch-up in the top-four race, but even though Palace would probably take a point that could be a dangerous tactic.
If we also note that 4 of the last 5 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 Goals then this fixture has a history of producing plenty of goalmouth action. With that in mind we prefer to side with 3+ goals as the main bet here at a decent-looking 1.70.
BEST BET: OVER 2.5 GOALS @1.70
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Chelsea v Crystal Palace 17:30
– Already played this season, Palace 2-1 Chelsea
– Last two repeat fixture ended, Chelsea 1-2 Palace
– Palace have won 3 of the last 5 head-to-heads 2-1
– 4 of the last 5 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS
– 5 of the last 9 head-to-heads ended 2-1 (either way)
– No draws in the last 13 head-to-heads
– 5 of the last 6 repeat fixtures went OVER 2.5 GOALS