The Blues are enjoying a blistering run of form, having won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions and currently sit fourth in the Premier League table. In the league, Chelsea have won five consecutive matches - making them the most in-form team in the top-flight.
But playing off the back of a 4-4 thriller with Ajax on Tuesday night and with a notably worse record at home than away, Chelsea will be wary of the visiting Palace and their strength on the road.
The Eagles have won five of their last eight away league matches whereas Chelsea have won four of their last eight at home.
Palace fans will fondly recall back-to-back victories over their London opponents back in 2017, winning both games by two goals to one. The first of these triumphs, of course, came at Stamford Bridge when the pair of teams bagged three goals within 11 minutes - Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke respectively overturning Cesc Fàbregas’s fifth minute effort to secure three points.
Did you know?
There hasn’t been a draw in any of the last 16 Premier League matches between Chelsea and Palace since a goalless stalemate in March 1995, and both teams have scored in seven of the last eight league meetings at Stamford Bridge.
Tactical overview
On the back of their ongoing transfer ban, Chelsea have been fielding a young side this season, but their enforced faith in youth is paying off. Tammy Abraham (22), Mason Mount (20) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (19) are three names to have stood-out this season and the first of these is the club’s top scorer so far this season on 10 goals.
In the league, Abraham has scored nine goals in 13 games for Chelsea. If he scores against Palace, he will be the second-youngest player to reach double figures in the competition for the Blues (22 years and 38 days) after Arjen Robben (21y 342d), while only Diego Costa (nine) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (11) will have done so in fewer games.
Keeping him quiet, then, will be of paramount importance for the Eagles. With Chelsea being the league’s joint-third highest scorers, though, the threat to Palace on Saturday does not come solely from Abraham. Christian Pulisic - after not scoring in six appearances - has bagged four goals from his last two league matches.
Palace have their own threats, however, and Jordan Ayew could become the fourth player in Premier League history to score away against Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea within the same campaign, after Robbie Earle (1995/96), Darren Bent (2008/09) and Ashley Barnes (2018/19).
Team news
Hodgson has said that he has an entirely fit first-team squad to face Chelsea.
Chelsea have more pressing injury concerns, though, with Ross Barkley unable to play, Mount suffering from a minor ankle injury but expected to feature and Ruben Loftus-Cheek still a relatively long-term absentee. Antonio Rüdiger is out for the next three weeks.
In better news for the Blues, N’Golo Kante returned to the squad on Tuesday night against Ajax, having suffered from injuries all season.
How to follow
Palace Audio
Palace supporters all over the world can listen to live audio commentary of every Palace fixture in the 2019/20 season for as little as £1 per game on the official club app, mobile internet or on desktop.
Fans can buy a Monthly Pass (which auto-renews) at £4.49 per month or a 24-Hour Pass (for a single matchday) for £1.49, by clicking here.
Find out more about Palace Audio here!
Social media
You can check out our Instagram story for eye-catching footage of all of the pre-match build-up and our official Twitter page will be bringing you up-to-the-minute match updates, stunning photos and more.
The official app
The official Palace app’s match centre is the place to be for everything you need during the Chelsea clash. With live stats and alerts, a running match commentary feed and lineups the moment they’re released as well as all an instant match report and post-match reaction from Palace TV, there’s no need to leave the app to follow the Eagles’ efforts.
Download our app for free here!
International fans
For fans following from abroad, have a look at our Worldwide TV Listings here. And if you're wondering where the nearest official fan club is to you, you can click here to find out.
Did you know you can become an International Member from just £45 and receive benefits such as guaranteed tickets for any home league game and exclusive live Palace TV streams for selected games? You can - by buying here!