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Chelsea v Crystal Palace preview: Pedro set for home debut

Pedro makes his Chelsea debut
Image: Pedro is set to make his home debut for Chelsea

Chelsea recorded their first win of the season at the third time of asking against West Brom last Sunday, and will be hoping to add their second when Crystal Palace visit Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's side edged past the Baggies 3-2 at The Hawthorns, with new signing Pedro getting off the mark on his first appearance for the Blues.

Palace, meanwhile, have six points from their opening three games after an excellent start to the season, with their only blemish so far coming when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal a fortnight ago.

Team news

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would not be drawn on the speculation linking John Stones and Paul Pogba to the club

Chelsea captain John Terry is suspended for the game on Saturday after being sent off in the win at West Brom, with Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma likely to line-up in central defence.

Victor Moses and Oscar missed the Baggies clash with undisclosed injuries and could again be absent, but Brazilian Kenedy could make his debut after completing his move.

Referee Mark Clattenburg shows the red card to John Terry
Image: Referee Mark Clattenburg shows the red card to John Terry

Yannick Bolasie is available for Crystal Palace after missing the midweek Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury following the death of his father.

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Wilfried Zaha could drop out for Bolasie, while midfielder Mile Jedinak is out for two to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Shrewsbury. Goalkeeper Julian Speroni (finger) and strikers Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell (both hamstring) are likely to be absent again.

Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie
Image: Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie is available again

Stats

This will be Jose Mourinho's 100th Premier League home game in charge of Chelsea.

He has won 76 and lost just one of the previous 99.

Crystal Palace have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last seven Premier League away games.

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Alan Pardew has revealed Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak will miss the Eagles' trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday

Alan Pardew has won four of his last seven Barclays Premier League matches as a coach against Chelsea (W4 L3).

The Blues have won nine and lost just one of the 12 Premier League meetings between Palace and Chelsea.

Chelsea have scored 199 goals at Stamford Bridge in Premier League London derbies.

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Ed Chamberlin is joined by Paul Merson to preview Saturday's Premier League action

Merson's prediction

I'm going for the champions here. I loved seeing their second goal at the weekend against West Brom scored by Diego Costa, it was them back to their best. Pedro looked brilliant, outstanding. For £21m he is top, top drawer. When you think of the huge saga over the summer for Kevin De Bruyne between Manchester City and Wolfsburg, Chelsea have got their winger with no fuss, and he's probably twice as good.

Palace fell over the line against Shrewsbury, which shocked me, and Villa. They'll score at Stamford Bridge because they're quick on the break away from home, but the hosts will be too strong.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08:  Diego Costa of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea v Swansea City at Stamford Bridge o
Image: Diego Costa of Chelsea

Betting

Sky Bet make Chelsea odds-on shots to secure all three points against 17/2 shots Palace with the draw available at 15/4. They did win this fixture 1-0 last season - a 6/1 shot this time - but exactly one goal has separated the sides in the last four meetings with Sky Bet offering 11/4 for the Blues to win by a single goal margin and Palace 10/1

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