Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Chelsea can guarantee themselves at least a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League over Christmas if they beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Two recent narrow 1-0 victories—against West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland—have stretched the Blues' remarkable winning league run to 10 games on the bounce and manager Antonio Conte would likely be delighted with a similar result against the Eagles.

For their part, Palace, even at home, will be significant underdogs given they have lost seven of their last nine games in the top flight.

Read on for a look at the latest team news before the clash in south London, along with live-streaming and television information, and a full preview.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 17

Time: 12:30 p.m. GMT, 7:30 a.m. ET

TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBCSN (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go, NBC Sports

Team News

Crystal Palace: Manager Alan Pardew will welcome back Jason Puncheon for Saturday's match after he missed Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United due to suspension.

Meanwhile, James Tomkins and Bakary Sako were ruled out for a month ahead of the United clash, and Loic Remy remains unavailable due to injury, per Mark Ritson of the Croydon Advertiser.

Likely XI: Hennessey; Kelly, Delaney, Dann, Ward; McArthur, Ledley, Zaha, Cabaye, Townsend; Benteke

Chelsea: Eden Hazard missed Chelsea's win against Sunderland on Wednesday with a minor injury but is expected to return for the trip to Palace, per the Evening Standard's Simon Johnson.

Likely XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Costa, Hazard

Preview

Palace were two minutes away from taking a credible point from their clash with United, but they were eventually undone by flashes of brilliance from Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In truth, though, the Eagles were dominated for much of the game against the Red Devils and, despite picking up recent points against Southampton and Hull City, they remain in relegation form—they are three points off the drop.

Chelsea have swept everything before them of late and look to be the team to beat in the race for the title. The hard-fought wins over West Brom and Sunderland followed victories against top-spot rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

In their current run of 10 wins in a row, the Blues have conceded just twice.

Per football writer Ed Malyon, there seems a certain inevitability about a Palace loss on Saturday, and it may even spell the end for Pardew:

West Brom came close to taking a point off Chelsea before a Gareth McAuley mistake late on was pounced upon with characteristic efficiency by Diego Costa.

Palace would do well to try to replicate Tony Pulis' tactics in their attempts to limit Chelsea's attack, but it is unlikely they have the defensive organisation to prevent the Blues from finding the net.

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

No side outside of the relegation zone has conceded more goals than Palace after 16 games of the 2016-17 season.

Meanwhile, only Liverpool and Arsenal have scored more than Chelsea, and the Blues have the joint-best defensive record in the division.

Palace will need to be at their best if they are to get anything from Saturday's match, and they may have to hope for some complacency from Chelsea given their recent dominance.

However, another win for Conte's men seems the most likely outcome as the Blues look to celebrate Christmas with a comfortable cushion at the top of the table.