Chelsea
are on the cusp of the Premier League title and victory against Crystal
Palace on Super Sunday will secure it.
Chelsea have been head and shoulders above their rivals in the chase for the
title this season and they could have it wrapped up with three games to
spare.
The Blues enter this weekend's fixtures 13 points clear and needing three
points to seal a first championship in five years.
A victory would take them to 83 points, which is just three points less than
the total they amassed when they last achieved title success in the 2009/10
season.
Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Leicester City on Wednesday thanks to second-half
goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires was their 14th game without
defeat in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace will become just the third team this season to beat Chelsea
if successful, following on from Newcastle and Tottenham, but head to
Stamford Bridge on the back of two straight defeats.
Team news
Diego Costa will miss the match and may not feature again this season if the
Blues win the Premier League title on Sunday.
Costa's campaign has been punctuated by hamstring problems and the striker
will not be risked against the Eagles, with Chelsea needing three points to
win the title.
Loic Remy is back from a calf injury, while Thibaut Courtois could return in
goal after a minor hip problem.
Opta facts
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 14 league matches against Crystal
Palace (W9 D4 L1).
Alan Pardew has won four of his last six Premier League matches as an
opposition coach against Chelsea.
When Palace met Chelsea back in October, it was only the 12th time in
Premier League history that both teams were reduced to 10 men before
half-time.
Crystal Palace have recovered more points from losing positions than any
other team in the Premier League this season (18).
Mourinho has coached Chelsea in 95 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge,
losing just one (W74 D20 L1)
Chelsea last won the Premier League in 2010. The Blues have kept five clean
sheets in their last six Premier League games against London opposition, but
conceded five in the other game (3-5 v Spurs).
Palace have committed more fouls than any other team in the Premier League
(462).
Chelsea will seal the title with a win. Their 2004-05 crown came in the 35th
game, their 2005-06 one in the 36th game and their 2009-10 triumph on the
final day.
Merson's prediction
I think this will be Chelsea's title party, but it won't be easy. Palace are
decent away from home - they've won seven of their eight travels under Alan
Pardew - and their style of play suits it.
But I can't go against Chelsea. They are worthy winners and have been
outstanding this season, using a fantastic core of a side and creating a
winning mentality. That's Jose Mourinho, and all this 'boring' talk is just
pathetic.
It's hard to retain the title the following year; Arsenal need a couple of
players, as we say every year, Man City are going to buy because of the bad
season they've had, Manchester United are going to buy too. It won't be
easy.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet Odds 15/2)
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