Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream, TV Info
Just hours after Floyd Mayweather Jr. successfully defended his undefeated record against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Chelsea can emulate his success by sealing their place as 2014/15 Premier League champions.
Jose Mourinho's side need just two more points to wrap up the title, meaning victory at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace on Sunday will ensure their position at the top of the table.
The smart money is on Chelsea to do just that.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
After an encouraging 2015 under Alan Pardew, Palace have tailed off recently. Their top-flight status is secure for another season, and with little to play for, the Eagles have succumbed to defeats against West Bromwich Albion and Hull City in their last two outings.
Palace were off the pace on both occasions, being outfought against sides battling against relegation. Now facing a team with the title in their sights—and on their own patch—it's difficult to consider anything other than a third successive defeat.
Indeed, Chelsea have the bit between their teeth right now. Mourinho's men are in ruthless mood, something they proved throughout the last month.
Chelsea won four out of five games in April, drawing with Arsenal in a goalless encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
The most recent of those victories came on Wednesday when they beat an in-form Leicester City 3-1 at the Kingpower Stadium.
That victory has cemented Chelsea's pursuit of Premier League glory and now they're on the brink of claiming their first title since 2010.
Like Mayweather, Chelsea haven't been exciting of late in the way many would have hoped, but they've got the job done.
We can expect them to finish it against Crystal Palace.
Date: Sunday, May 3
Time: 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK only)/NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Team news
Chelsea have a virtually fully fit squad to contend this game, but Diego Costa will miss out yet again with a hamstring injury.
Mourinho acknowledged at his Friday press conference that his star striker may well miss the remainder of the season as he looks to rest him and ensure he recovers from an issue that has dogged Costa since last year.
Better news surrounds Loic Remy, who is expected to return after his calf strain, while Thibaut Courtois should replace Petr Cech in goal after missing out in the midweek win over Leicester.
As for Palace, Joel Ward could return from injury, but Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh remain on the sidelines.
Last 5 games
| April 4 | Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City |
| April 12 | QPR 0-1 Chelsea |
| April 18 | Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United |
| April 26 | Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea |
| April 29 | Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea |
| March 21 | Stoke City 1-2 Crystal Palace |
| April 6 | Crystal Palace 2-1 Manchester City |
| April 11 | Sunderland 1-4 Crystal Palace |
| April 18 | Crystal Palace 0-2 West Bromwich Albion |
| April 25 | Crystal Palace 0-2 Hull City |
Players to watch
Loic Remy
After Mourinho's comments on Friday, we're expecting Remy to make a return on Sunday.
The Frenchman missed much of April with a calf problem, and with Costa's on-going injury concerns, he will be Chelsea's first-choice striker between now and the end of the season if he can prove his fitness.
As we've said many times before, it's a big opportunity for Remy to lay down a marker at Chelsea. He's had an injury-ravaged first season at Stamford Bridge yet has still found himself scoring vital goals at important times.
It's asking too much for him to start after a month out, but coming from the bench, he will be a big part of this game.
And given his exploits against Hull City and Stoke City, where his goals won Chelsea both games, you wouldn't put it past Remy to score the winner against Palace to win his team the title.
Glenn Murray
Leading the line for Palace in recent weeks, Murray has been a big threat, scoring six goals in his last eight outings.
It's been a perfectly timed return to form for the 31-year-old, whose goals have been a major reason in Pardew's side pulling clear of a relegation scrap.
Murray's an intelligent striker, and while Palace may well have more dynamic and exciting players in the form of Yannick Bolasie and Wilfred Zaha, Murray's their goalscorer and will give John Terry and Gary Cahill a busy afternoon.
He will work them physically, and as he has shown, Murray has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, demonstrating the instincts of a natural goalscorer.
Palace have disappointed in their last two outings, not scoring against West Brom and Hull, so Murray will determined to wreck Chelsea's title charge with a return to goalscoring form.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace
Odds
Home win: 4/11
Away win: 10/1
Draw: 9/2
First goalscorer: John Terry 14/1
*Odds via Oddschecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
