Crystal Palace currently find themselves in the relegation zone. A more positive outlook would be that they are just six points behind 10th place thanks to a bunched-up table. So even a slight jump in form would be enough to get them out of the bottom three. Knowing that, let's examine all the key information for the Premier League clash, followed by a breakdown of the top storyline and a match prediction. Where: Stamford Bridge in London, EnglandWhen: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.
m. ET (3 p. GMT)Watch: NBC Sports Network and BBC OneLive Stream: NBC Sports Live ExtraMatch Forecast (via Bloomberg Sports)Chelsea: 70. 4 percentCrystal Palace: 10. 4 percentDraw: 19. 2 percentTop Storyline: Can Chelsea fix their recent defensive woes in league play? Scott Heavey/Getty ImagesChelsea were able to keep a clean sheet in their win over Steaua Bucuresti. Their recent defensive performances in league play haven't been as encouraging, however. They allowed three goals apiece to Sunderland and Stoke, which both rank in the bottom half of the league in scoring. Blues manager Jose Mourinho admitted after the loss to Stoke that the defense was starting to become a major concern, according to Sky Sports.
Yet, he also pointed out the attack didn't play up to its capabilities, either, which further exposed the defensive woes:Mourinho was asked about his defence, having conceded six goals in back-to-back away games at Sunderland and Stoke. "It's a big concern, " said the Chelsea boss. "I don't organise my teams this way. Individual mistakes sometimes kill a team, and the way we work. "But, there are also the goals we didn't score. In the first half, we had lots of occasions in which a simple movement and finish would have meant the job was done. We should score more goals than we did. "Mourinho is right to point out that if the attack was more effective it would take some pressure of the back like. That said, the Blues have too much talent at the back to allow six goals to sides that aren't exactly filled with offensive firepower. Ian Walton/Getty ImagesNot only have their been mental lapses at the back, but goalkeeper Petr Cech hasn't been bailing out the defenders as much as he has in past years.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace - Premier League - Tribuna.com