Match Overview
Crystal Palace welcome Chelsea to Selhurst Park for a Premier League clash carrying European and mid-table implications. Palace sit 13th on 28 points after 22 games and have struggled for fluency at home, while Chelsea are sixth with 34 points and aiming to consolidate their push for Europe. Their last league meeting on August 17, 2025 ended 0-0, underscoring how tight this fixture can be. A cold, overcast afternoon is expected for the 14:00 kickoff.
- Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Selhurst Park
- Date: 25-01-2026
- Kickoff: 14:00 GMT / 14:00 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace
- D. Henderson
- M. Lacroix
- T. Mitchell
- C. Richards
- N. Clyne
- A. Wharton
- J. Lerma
- J. Devenny
- W. Hughes
- J. Mateta
- Yeremy Pino
Chelsea
- Robert Sánchez
- T. Chalobah
- Marc Cucurella
- R. James
- M. Gusto
- E. Fernández
- M. Caicedo
- C. Palmer
- Andrey Santos
- João Pedro
- Pedro Neto
Injury & Suspension Report
Crystal Palace
- N. Clyne – Muscle Injury
- D. Kamada – Hamstring Injury
- D. Muñoz – Knee Injury
- Caleb Kporha – Back Injury
- Rio Cardines – Muscle Injury
- E. Nketiah – Thigh Injury
- C. Doucouré – Knee Injury
Chelsea
- C. Palmer – Thigh Injury
- F. Jorgensen – Injury
- L. Colwill – Knee Injury
- M. Mudryk – Suspended
- R. Lavia – Thigh Injury
- T. Adarabioyo – Muscle Injury
- Dário Essugo – Injury
Head-to-Head
Across 48 meetings, Chelsea have 30 wins, Crystal Palace have 6, and there have been 12 draws. Recent clashes have been tight, with around two goals per game across the last nine encounters, and the most recent league meeting finished 0-0.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Palace’s home form and the Mateta factor
Palace’s recent home matches have lacked cutting edge, with only three goals in their last five at Selhurst Park. Their season has been defined by small margins, averaging just over a goal scored and conceded per game against mid-table rivals. In that context, J. Mateta’s record matters: six goals in 15 home appearances underline his importance as the primary finisher for a team that often relies on moments rather than sustained pressure.
Chelsea’s away output and European push
Chelsea’s away form provides a platform: two wins and two draws in their last five road games, and 12 goals scored across those matches. They arrive on the back of a 2-0 league win at Brentford, with João Pedro on the scoresheet; he now has seven league goals this season and offers a direct threat between the lines. The visitors’ injury list includes C. Palmer (thigh), which could affect their creative balance, but overall their away production has been consistent.
Tactical outlook: control vs transitions
The previous 0-0 between these sides points to a controlled, low-risk pattern. Palace are comfortable keeping shape and striking in transition, with the midfield axis of A. Wharton, J. Lerma and W. Hughes tasked with screening and progressing play. At the back, T. Mitchell, C. Richards and M. Lacroix will prioritize compact distances to limit space for Pedro Neto’s carries and João Pedro’s movement.
Chelsea tend to manage possession phases more assertively than Palace, using E. Fernández and M. Caicedo to dictate tempo and recover second balls. If Palmer features, his positioning between lines can open passing lanes to the front two; if not, the onus shifts to Andrey Santos for connective play. Set pieces and quick transitions after turnovers could be decisive, given Palace’s conservative risk profile and Chelsea’s willingness to commit numbers when breaking.
With Palace’s home goals drying up and Chelsea showing superior away output, this projects as a narrow, low-scoring contest. Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea.