Crystal Palace
(Form check: LLWDL)
In what turned out to be a messy midweek affair Crystal Palace succumbed to Manchester United’s power late on in the 2-1 loss on Wednesday night. They certainly had shouts for offside and cards against the opposition but when the lucks not with you it’s just not and boy are the Eagles suffering right now. Yet again, in a Palace game this season, both sides scored (@ 4/5) but with confidence so low it’s hard to see them being able to penetrate the Chelsea defence (Chelsea clean sheet 6/4 with bet365 – Bet Here!)
For those Eagles supporters who still hold the faith the odds around Crystal Palace winning this game are going to be huge, a second look at a few correct scores shows just how unlikely the bookmakers are putting the home side to win. Take Crystal Palace 2-0 (40/1 with Paddy Power – Bet Here!) or Crystal Palace 3-1 (55/1 with Bet Victor – Bet Here!) With this turbulent Premier League season I’m sure there’s been worse bets to be had!
Accumulator builders will be heading towards the cards market against the home team as value will only enhance the more Crystal Palace become desperate to gain the points. In their last 4 games they’ve played here have been over 3.5 cards and Unibet – Bet Here! are offering great odds on individuals picking up a card: Joe Ledley - 5/1, Damian Delaney – 13/4, Scott Dann - 9/2.
Chelsea
(Form check: WWWWW)
The nightmare of last season was definitely put in the back of the closet when Chelsea gained their tenth win in a row with they away win to Sunderland last time out. Antonio Conte even gave certain players a rest, Eden Hazard didn’t travel and Nemanja Matic only came on as a substitute. Quite what he’s but in the water at Stamford Bridge I’ve know idea but the blues certainly have heads turning their way. They’re solid favourites for this clash (8/13 with Skybet – Bet Here!) and no doubt they’ll be the opening leg of accumulators up and down the country in this early kick off.
The last two times Chelsea have rocked up to Selhurst Park they’ve won 2-1 (8/1 with Bet Victor – Bet Here!) but it’s hard to see Chelsea conceding a goal this time around though, having kept nine clean sheets this season (Chelsea to win to nil – 37/19 with Unibet – Bet Here!). I’m much more interested in finding the first goal scorer for the away team, Covering the bet with Diego Costa (3/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!) or Eden Hazard (9/2 with Coral – Bet Here!) and looking further afield for the upset: Gary Cahill (28/1 with Coral – Bet Here!) or David Luiz (Takes free kicks remember!) (25/1 with Coral – Bet Here!).
STATS
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 10 matches (Premier League).
- Crystal Palace have conceded at least 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 matches (Premier League).
- Chelsea have scored 25/34 goals from open play this season (Premier League)
- Bad tacklers! Yohan Cabaye & Jason Puncheon have been yellow carded 5 times each this season (Premier League)
- Ouch! Eden Hazard gets fouled (on average) 3.3 times per game! (Premier League)
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CURRENT MATCH ODDS [BEST PRICED ODDS]
Crystal Palace: 11/2 (William Hill) - Bet Here! Draw: 10/3 (SportingBet) - Bet Here! Chelsea: 8/13 (SkyBet) - Bet Here!
SUMMING UP!
I’m doing nothing but rowing in with the tide here as I thought Crystal Palace would gain something against Manchester United in midweek. Chelsea look too strong, defensively, tactically and in consistency and I’m already feeling sorry for those home fans who will have to watch their team lose again this season. By the end of this winter period Chelsea may have already snatched the title away from the leading pack and this game is just another small pebble on their road to glory!
MY RECOMMENDED BETS
- Diego Costa to score first (3/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!)
- David Luiz to score first (25/1 with Coral – Bet Here!)
- Chelsea to win 2-0 (17/2 with BetVictor – Bet Here!)
- Sending off in the match (10/3 with Bet 365 – Bet Here!)
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Click to ClaimFrancois is one of Howtobet4free’s co-founders and has written many of Howtobet4free’s popular Betting Guides. Francois also helps run the @howtobet4free_ Twitter account