Heading into Sunday’s match, there will be only one thing on the minds of Chelsea fans and players alike: three points will officially mean that the Premier League trophy is returning to Stamford Bridge this spring. Drawing with Arsenal as opposed to beating them meant that the league title could be clinched on home soil, provided that we beat Leicester of course (which we did).
What has to happen for Chelsea to clinch the title on matchday 35:
1) Chelsea WIN on Sunday vs Crystal Palace
2) Chelsea DRAW on Sunday AND Arsenal drop points Monday at Hull City
3) Chelsea LOSE on Sunday AND Arsenal lose on Monday
The Blues are flying at the moment after an absolutely dominant second-half performance at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night saw them turn a 1-0 half-time deficit into a 1-3 triumph. Even without their top two strikers, Chelsea have managed to get the results they’ve needed. While Diego Costa’s participation has been ruled out by José Mourinho, Loic Remy will definitely be available on Sunday. This will surely be a massive boost to a team who is already unfathomably hungry for three points. Mourinho has noted that he and his squad want to wrap up the title as quickly as possible, and doing it at home would definitely be a plus. According to the Portuguese, everyone is calm and ready to go.
After winning four in a row, Crystal Palace have hit some rough form in recent weeks, losing their last two. However, the Eagles have done well this season as they sit near the middle of the table for the second year in a row – surely a successful one for the South Londoners. They are well clear of the relegation zone, and at this point don’t have much to play for. Even so, London derbies always contain that extra bit of spice that promises an entertaining ninety minutes no matter what.
The reverse fixture saw Chelsea win comfortably at Selhurst Park back in October, despite a ninetieth minute goal from Frazier Campbell which resulted in a flattering 1-2 scoreline from a Palace point of view. The match saw two sending offs; Azpilicueta was shown a straight red for a mistimed tackle in the fortieth, which gave plenty of hope to the home side. Just three minutes later though, Delaney saw red and the game became a 10 v 10 matchup. It was an afternoon of pure quality from Chelsea in the goal scoring department. Oscar netted an absolute stunner of a free-kick just six minutes in, and later on a barrage of quick, stylish Chelsea passes around the penalty area led to Cesc Fabregas slipping another past Speroni. If Sunday resembles that afternoon in October even slightly, Stamford Bridge will surely be rocking come full-time.
Score Prediction – Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace
