Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has played down concerns over his team’s recent dip in form as they prepare to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Following a 2-0 loss to Ipswich Town in their final match of 2024, Chelsea now face the challenge of turning around a three-game winless streak.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Maresca remained calm and optimistic, highlighting the inevitability of such phases in a season. “This kind of moment is part of football,” he said. “It’s almost impossible to go through a season without challenges like this. What’s important is how we respond.”
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by 10 points while maintaining a three-point cushion over fifth-placed Newcastle. Despite the recent struggles, Maresca expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress.
“Nobody expected us to be where we are at this stage,” he added. “It shows we’re on the right path, but it also highlights that we’re not yet at the level of England’s top teams. There’s still plenty of room for improvement.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is also looking for his team to build momentum. Eberechi Eze, who scored the decisive goal in Palace’s win over Southampton, is a player Glasner hopes will continue to shine.
“I’m very pleased for Eberechi,” Glasner said. “He’s had a tough season, with missed chances and moments of frustration. But his goal against Southampton was a special moment that shows his resilience.”
Players to Watch
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace): Eze will be aiming to make history by becoming the second Palace player to score in both home and away fixtures against Chelsea in a single season, a feat last achieved by George Whitworth in 1924-25.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Palmer has been a standout performer, netting 12 goals this season and contributing six assists. His 26 goal involvements in 2024 set a club record for a single year, and he ranks second only to Mohamed Salah in Premier League contributions.
Match Prediction: Chelsea Win
Chelsea boast an impressive record against Crystal Palace, winning 12 of their 15 Premier League visits to Selhurst Park. However, they come into the match on the back of two consecutive league defeats, a rare occurrence given their form in 2024.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have shown resilience, losing only twice in their last 11 games. Still, they’ve struggled in recent opening calendar-year fixtures, losing the last three by a combined score of 12-2.
Opta Win Probability
- Crystal Palace: 27.5%
- Draw: 24.3%
- Chelsea: 48.2%
Chelsea’s ability to bounce back from setbacks will be put to the test, but with a track record of dominance in this fixture, they remain favorites to claim victory.
