TEAM NEWS
Chelsea's Diego Costa has again been ruled out with a hamstring injury and may not play again this season according to manager Jose Mourinho.
Fellow forward Loic Remy is back in contention and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also set to return after a minor hip problem.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is hopeful defender Joel Ward will overcome a shin injury.
Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh remain on the sidelines.
MATCH PREVIEW
Jose Mourinho has asked the Stamford Bridge crowd not to celebrate early, but to be "ready to push" his side over the line. He says it will be "very difficult" against Crystal Palace.
True enough, and all very professional - but look behind the words spoken to Juliette Ferrington in Wednesday's post-match interview at Leicester. Look at his smile and relaxed manner.
All too often this season Mourinho's media dealings have seemed terse on the verge of being surly - a different character to the one who charmed so many in his first spell in the Premier League.
Lawro's prediction |
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"There has been a lot of talk this week about 'boring boring Chelsea' but I think a lot of that is down to the green-eyed monster. Why do you have to play super-sexy football to win the league? As we know, a lot of time you cannot do it."
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Not now he knows the title is won though.
By beating Crystal Palace, Chelsea will win the league with three games to spare, equalling Mourinho's achievement in his first season of 2004-05 - and I reckon he might have this one down as an even bigger deal.
A decade ago, Roman Abramovich's money was almost unrivalled in the Premier League, whilst this time Chelsea have seen off serious competition in both financial and football terms.
Mourinho has done it purely his way too. Boring? The author of "Inverting the Pyramid: A History of Football Tactics", Jonathan Wilson, has an interesting take on that.
There is a 'but' before any celebrations start though - and it comes in the form of Palace and their own manager.
At Newcastle, Alan Pardew won four of his last six games against Chelsea, including one of their only two league defeats this season at St James's Park in December.
To further add to the case for an upset, Palace boast the best current away form in the league - winning six of seven away from Selhurst Park under Pardew.
Like Mourinho, he can be a divisive figure, but the Eagles boss will have most of the rest of London rooting for him in this one.
Can Palace poop the party by winning at Chelsea for the first time in over 33 years? Perhaps - but I wouldn't bet a bean on it.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Crystal Palace's only win over Chelsea in 11 Premier League meetings came last season at Selhurst Park (W1, D2, L8).
- Palace have only ever won twice at Stamford Bridge: 2-1 in the old Division Two in March 1982 and 3-2 in the fifth round of the FA Cup in 1976.
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 14 league meetings (W9, D4, L1).
Chelsea
- Chelsea need just three points to win what would be a fourth Premier League title, and first since 2010.
- The Blues have lost just three of their 50 matches in all competitions this season.
- They have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season (16), while Palace have kept the joint-fewest (6).
- Chelsea defenders have contributed 19 goals and 16 assists in all competitions so far this campaign.
- John Terry is level with David Unsworth as the top-scoring defender in Premier League history with 38 goals.
- Cesc Fabregas has equalled his best ever haul of assists in a single Premier League season (17, level with 2007-08). Only two players have fared better: Thierry Henry with 20 assists in 2002-03 and Frank Lampard with 18 in 2004-05.
Crystal Palace
- Palace have lost just one of their last eight away matches in the league, earning 17 points (W5, D2, L1).
- They have recovered a league-high 18 points from losing positions this campaign.
- Palace have managed only seven wins in 30 previous Premier League London derbies away from home (W7, D8, L15).
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Stamford Bridge will thrill in anticipation of Chelsea’s first Premier League title in five years. The hosts will secure the crown with victory and, given their unbeaten home record this season and Crystal Palace’s recent slip in standards with safety assured, the opportunity is there for the taking. “Them winning the league would be deserved because they’ve done extraordinarily well this season,” said Yannick Bolasie, “but we don’t want them to do it against us.” That may be wishful thinking given it is 33 years since Palace last won at Chelsea. Dominic Fifield
Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm
Venue Stamford Bridge
Last season Chelsea 2 C Palace 1
Live SS1
Referee K Friend
This season G20, Y90, R3, 4.65 cards per game
Odds H 4-11 A 11-1 D 9-2
Chelsea
Subs from Courtois, Blackman, Filipe Luís, Christensen, Loftus-Cheek, Mikel, Zouma, Ramires, Cuadrado, Aké, Solanke, Drogba
Doubtful Courtois (hip), Rémy (calf)
Injured Costa (hamstring, 10 May)
Suspended None
Form WWWWDW
Discipline Y64 R3
Leading scorer Costa 19
Crystal Palace
Subs from Hennessey, Kettings, Mariappa, Ward, Hangeland, Ledley, Campbell, Thomas, Boateng, Chamakh, Mutch, Sanogo, Ameobi, Gayle, Lee
Doubtful Campbell (hamstring), Chamakh (hamstring), Ward (foot), Thomas (ankle), Ledley (hip)
Injured None
Suspended None
Form WWWWLL
Discipline Y59 R4
Leading scorer Murray 6
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