Date of Tips: 21/01/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (13:14 21/01/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Crystal Palace FC
v Chelsea FC 
Selhurst Park
Premier League Matchday 23 
25-01-2026 14:00
Crystal Palace Form
Chelsea Form
Sunday afternoon at Selhurst Park for a 16:00 kick-off. This Crystal Palace vs Chelsea prediction dives into team news, potential lineups, and how these two match up, along with our best betting tips.
Let’s start with Palace. Oliver Glasner in the man in charge. Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the line and is usually the man Palace lean on for set-pieces.
Marc Guehi anchors the defence. England international. Calm. Vocal. He sets the line and keeps it organised. In midfield, Will Hughes adds experience and control, while Adam Wharton keeps things ticking.
On dead balls, Palace usually look to Eberechi Eze when he’s on the pitch, but with the current setup, Hughes and Johnson are the more likely free-kick options. Penalties? Mateta takes responsibility there. No hesitation.
Chelsea come in under new leadership. Liam Rosenior is still early in his tenure, but he knows English football inside out. He’s stepping into a Premier League dressing room packed with internationals, which isn’t simple. Still, there’s belief growing.
Romeo Lavia is edging back after injury, though he’s not fully ready. Levi Colwill remains out long-term, which limits options at the back. Marc Cucurella is suspended, so Chelsea reshuffle slightly down the left.
Enzo Fernandez runs the midfield. World Cup winner. Sets the tempo. He’s also the main penalty taker when he’s on the pitch. From free-kicks, Cole Palmer and Enzo share duties depending on angle and distance. Palmer, especially, looks confident from range.
Crystal Palace: 3-6-1
Henderson, Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi, Wharton, Hughes, Devenny, Micthell, Pino, Johnson, Mateta
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1
Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Fofana, Hato, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Palmer, Pedro Neto, Pedro
This is where it gets interesting. Palace will sit compact, press in bursts, then break quickly. That’s Glasner’s blueprint. They don’t need loads of the ball. They just need the right moments.
Chelsea, on the other hand, want control. Fernandez and Caicedo will try to slow the game and keep Palace pinned back. The wide areas matter here. Pedro Neto and Estevao against Palace wing-backs feels like a key battle.
Games like this often swing on patience. Palace frustrate. Chelsea probe. One mistake changes everything.
No hype here. Just logic. Derby games tend to be tense early. Palace rarely roll over at home, and Chelsea are still finding rhythm under a new manager.
Both teams have attackers who can change a game without much warning. That’s why markets around goals at both ends make sense. If you’re into broader betting markets, check out today’s BTTS tips.
Chelsea probably have more ways to win this. More depth. More individual quality. But Selhurst Park evens things up.
They’ll have moments where Chelsea look uncomfortable. Still, over 90 minutes, Chelsea’s control in midfield and sharper options off the bench should tilt it their way.
Match Prediction: Chelsea to win. Bet with bet365.
A narrow away win feels realistic. Palace usually find a way to score at home, especially in big games. Chelsea, though, should create enough to edge it.
Think tight margins. One goal either way kind of night.
Correct Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea. Bet with bet365.
This doesn’t scream goal-fest, but it doesn’t feel cagey either. Derby energy pushes the tempo up. Three goals sits in the sweet spot. Enough action without things getting wild.
Over/Under Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
Chelsea to edge the result. Both teams to score. A lively second half. That combination fits how i see this game playing out.
Bet Builder Tip: Chelsea to win, both teams to score, and Cole Palmer to score anytime. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Chelsea look slightly better equipped, but Palace will make it difficult.
Kick-off is at 16:00 UK time on January 25, 2026.
The match takes place at Selhurst Park in South London.
A narrow Chelsea win, with Palace still getting on the scoresheet.
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