Crystal Palace vs Chelsea prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 25 January 2026
One of the matches of the 23rd round of the English Premier League will take place this Sunday at Selhurst Park in London, where the local Crystal Palace hosts Chelsea. Here’s a betting tip for this clash with solid chances of success.
Match preview
Oliver Glasner’s side are having a dreadful winter: ten games without a win, a catastrophic run in the Premier League, and elimination from the cups have all led to a tense atmosphere within the club. The defeat to Sunderland in the last round was a symbol of a deep systemic crisis: zero substitutions during the match, a holding midfielder deployed at centre-back, and just three draws in six weeks. The squad is literally falling apart – captain Guehi was sold on the eve of the match, and top scorer Mateta is already looking for a new club.
Home games have been especially tough for Palace – just two wins at Selhurst Park in the current Premier League campaign and only four goals scored in their last seven home matches. The team simply isn’t creating chances, and even Sarr’s return to the attack is unlikely to change the picture. Meanwhile, fan pressure continues to mount, and against opponents like Chelsea, mistakes won’t be forgiven.
Liam Rosenior’s arrival at Chelsea came as a surprise, but so far he’s handling things well – three wins in four matches, and even the loss to Arsenal was a hard-fought battle. The new manager is actively experimenting with the lineup and smartly rotating the squad between competitions. Special focus is being placed on the midfield – Fernandez and Caicedo are now key figures who dictate the team’s balance and tempo.
Despite defensive personnel issues (Adarabioyo’s injury), competition for attacking spots is fierce – especially following the return of Bynoe-Gittens and Estevao. The stats are also in Chelsea’s favor: the Blues haven’t lost to the Eagles in eight years, netting 14 goals in their last six away games against Palace. Last round’s win over Brentford marked an important psychological milestone that could spark a streak for Chelsea.
Probable lineups
- Crystal Palace: Henderson, Lacroix, Richards, Lerma, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Devenny, Pino, Sarr, Mateta
- Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer, Willian, Bynoe-Gittens, Pedro
Match facts and head-to-head
- Chelsea have beaten Crystal Palace in 14 of their last 17 encounters.
- Chelsea have scored 14 goals in their last six away matches against Crystal Palace.
- The hosts have netted just two goals in their last six Premier League home games.
Prediction
Crystal Palace are in their worst shape in recent seasons – squad losses, dreadful home form, and internal instability offer little reason for optimism. Against this backdrop, Chelsea look disciplined and hungry for wins, especially after Rosenior’s successful start. If the Blues hit the ground running, the outcome could be settled by halftime. The home side’s crisis looks set to continue – the most logical scenario here.
