As he prepares to attempt to mastermind a domestic double over the reigning Premier League champions, Alan Pardew has started the mind games ahead of today’s game.
According to the Express, the Crystal Palace manager believes that Chelsea will struggle to finish inside the top six this season.
Chelsea are currently in 16th place, just three points off the relegation zone ahead of today’s game at Selhurst Park.
Pardew said:
Chelsea will push, but I think they are going to find it hard to get into the top six. They could possibly catch us, but it will be very difficult for them to catch Leicester, Stoke, Everton and Liverpool, for instance.
With Guus Hiddink in charge until the end of the season, Chelsea will need to rekindle some of their fine form from last season in any hope of securing either Champions League or Europa League football next season.
Hiddink may be forced to win either the Champions League or the FA Cup to secure a place in at least the Europa League.
In stark contrast, Pardew’s Palace sit in 7th place, just four points off the Champions League places.
