Paul Merson has made his prediction for the upcoming Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace. According to Merson, Chelsea will win the match 1-1 is not his only prediction as he previously predicted Chelsea to win ¹ ² ³.

Recent Prediction

In his latest prediction, Merson thinks Chelsea will edge out Crystal Palace with a narrow 1-0 victory, describing the game as “very tough” for the Blues, who will be missing key players. This prediction highlights the competitive nature of the match ³.

Alternative Prediction

However, in another prediction, Merson forecasted a more convincing win for Chelsea, predicting a 3-0 scoreline in their favor. This prediction was based on Crystal Palace’s injury problems, particularly the absence of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze. Merson believes Chelsea’s young squad will leverage their talent to secure a comfortable win ⁴.

Chelsea’s Form

Merson acknowledges Chelsea’s inconsistent form this season but notes that they have been solid at home, winning their last three matches and remaining unbeaten in five. He expects Chelsea to leverage this momentum to secure a win against Crystal Palace ³.

Crystal Palace’s Challenge

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have been struggling for form, winning only one of their last 11 games. Merson recognizes Palace’s potential, citing their recent wins over Manchester City and Liverpool in the FA Cup final and FA Community Shield, respectively. Despite this, he believes Chelsea’s home advantage and recent form will give them the edge they need to win ¹.

Key Factors

Several factors will influence the outcome of this match ³ ⁴:
– Chelsea’s Home Form: Chelsea’s recent home performances have been strong, with three consecutive wins.
– Crystal Palace’s Injury Issues: The absence of key players like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze could impact Palace’s chances.
– Chelsea’s Squad Youth: Merson notes that Chelsea’s young squad has shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency remains a concern.