Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview: Can Chelsea Turn Form Into a Run?

Seven winless Premier League games have sapped the noise out of Selhurst Park. Chelsea arrive after putting 10 goals past their last four opponents and finally ending their own winless run. For Palace, this London derby could deepen the malaise. For Chelsea, it’s a chance to climb closer to the top four before fixtures toughen.

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea – Match Date & Kick Off

Date: Sunday, 25 January 2026

Kick‑off: 2 pm UK time

Venue: Selhurst Park, London

How to watch: Live on Sky Sports in the UK; no official UK stream. International viewers should check local Premier League rights holders. Chelsea’s Matchday Live show offers audio commentary and text updates on the official app.

You know those games you circle because they either nudge a season up a gear or confirm your worries? This feels like one of them. Chelsea have been playing with a swagger we haven’t seen in ages — ten goals in the last four, just two conceded — and suddenly we’re back talking about top-four hopes instead of just “nice performances.” But this is also the bit where it has to become real: go to Selhurst, handle the noise, win back-to-back league games, and you stop feeling like a team in recovery.

Palace are the mirror opposite right now — and it’s not even subtle. Glasner has basically gone public with it, talking like a man who’s already half out the door, calling the squad “abandoned” and pointing at Guéhi leaving, Eze already gone, and January barely giving them anything back. The football matches the mood: ten without a win in all comps, seven winless in the league, and when they do get ahead they still find a way to drop it. Even at home it’s become Mateta-or-nothing — six of the last seven league goals at Selhurst are his, and everyone else has taken shots for months without scoring. That’s why this feels like an opportunity Chelsea have to treat like an opportunity.

The only complication is Chelsea’s own reality check: this won’t be a clean, perfect afternoon if key pieces are missing. If Palmer’s thigh keeps him out again, and with a few bodies already confirmed absent, the game becomes more about control than sparkle — win your duels, squeeze their midfield, don’t give the crowd a reason to wake up. Because if you let Palace hang around, Selhurst turns every loose touch into a moment. But if Chelsea start fast, score first, and keep the pressure on a side that already looks emotionally drained… this can be the kind of “grown-up win” that changes how the season feels on Monday morning.

MATCH FACTS

Stakes: Chelsea are sixth on 34 points, one point off European places; Palace are 13th with 28 points.

Chelsea edge: The Blues haven’t lost to Palace in the league since 2017, winning 13 of the last 16 meetings and scoring in 15 of their last 16 visits to Selhurst Park.

Palace slump: Oliver Glasner’s side are winless in seven league games, have lost four of their last six, and have dropped 39 points from winning positions since his appointment.

One thing to watch: How quickly Palace’s crowd turns if Chelsea score first — nervous energy has already seeped into performances.

How This Game Plays Out

A – How Palace try to hurt Chelsea

Targeting the channels: With Guéhi gone, Jefferson Lerma deputises at centre‑back. Palace often avoid building out and go straight into channels for Mateta. Expect long diagonals for Ismaïla Sarr, whose return from AFCON boosts their vertical threat.

Set‑piece lifeline: Palace have conceded 14 of their 25 goals from set pieces this season. Offensively, they’ll lean on corners and free kicks to feed Lacroix and Mateta, hoping to exploit Chelsea’s inconsistent marking.

B – How Chelsea should hurt Palace

Midfield squeeze**: Palace’s midfield hinges on Adam Wharton retaining the ball under pressure. Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea press through Fernandez and Caicedo could pin Palace deep and generate turnovers. Fast switches to wide forwards like Cole Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho will test Palace’s wing‑backs.

Exploit defensive uncertainty: With Lerma in a makeshift back three and only two clean sheets in their last 34 meetings with Chelsea, Palace lack authority in possession. Chelsea can overload central areas, drag Palace’s wide centre‑backs out, and then attack the vacated half‑spaces.

C – Swing Factor

Palace’s mentality is brittle. They’ve squandered leads twice already in 2026 and have failed to score in five of 11 home games. If Chelsea strike early, the atmosphere could turn edgy. But Chelsea haven’t won away since November. Keeping their foot down and not letting the game become scrappy will be crucial.

Key Battles

Jean‑Philippe Mateta vs Trevoh Chalobah**

Mateta has scored eight league goals and opened the scoring five times at Selhurst Park; he thrives on first‑time finishes and near‑post runs. Chalobah’s reading of crosses must be sharp, especially when Wesley Fofana steps into midfield during build‑up. If Mateta pins Chalobah and drifts into the right channel, he can free space for Yeremy Pino to cut inside off the left.

Adam Wharton & Jefferson  Lerma vs Enzo Fernandez & Moisés Caicedo

Wharton often drops alongside Lerma to form a pseudo‑back four when under pressure. Caicedo’s job is to split that pair and force turnovers. If Caicedo can win the ball high and find Palmer between lines, Chelsea will pull Palace’s structure apart.

Scoreline Prediction

Palace’s inability to manage games and Chelsea’s renewed confidence point toward an away win. Expect the hosts to battle but struggle to cope with Chelsea’s pressing and movement.

Predicted result: Crystal Palace 0–2 Chelsea