Alan Pardew believes Chelsea are stronger than when they won the Barclays Premier League title last season ahead of Crystal Palace's trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea have made an indifferent start to the defence of their title, drawing at home to Swansea City before losing 3-0 at Manchester City and then winning 3-2 at West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

The champions were reduced to 10 men in two of those matches, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dismissed against Swansea and captain John Terry given his marching orders at The Hawthorns. Pedro scored on his debut against Tony Pulis's side following his move from Barcelona, while Jose Mourinho has also brought in the likes of Radamel Falcao and Baba Rahman. Mourinho will be expecting his side to put on a show in what will be his 100th Barclays Premier League home match in charge and his 200th in total in the top tier.

Chelsea did the double over Palace last season and Pardew is braced for another tough afternoon when his side attempt to secure a third win in their first four top-flight matches, and a first win at Stamford Bridge since 1982.


"Chelsea is always a difficult game, especially at home," Pardew said. "They can counter-attack you at any time, and the concentration levels needed to win there are really high.

"We performed almost to our maximum last year and still got beat, so we need to be at our best to stand a chance of winning. We've won three out of four. So we're in great shape going into the game.


"But they have a side that looks to be better than last year, and that side won the league. Chelsea aren't quite in the groove they were when we played them last time - and neither are we.

"They were really at their best, and we were really in form, but it's so early on, so both teams won't be at the highest level yet. We haven't been as fluent as I'd like, but we've been exciting and we've had some great moments, and we've got players who can change a game at any moment."

Pedro is set to make his home debut after his eye-catching debut at Albion. Terry will not feature as he serves a one-match ban for his dismissal, so Gary Cahill will most likely earn a recall to the starting line-up. It remains to be seen if Victor Moses and Oscar (both knocks) will return.


Palace will welcome back winger Yannick Bolasie from compassionate leave following the death of his father. Mile Jedinak has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in midweek League Cup action, while Pardew confirmed that Alex McCarthy will keep his place despite the return of long-serving goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Match Facts


This will be Jose Mourinho's 100th Barclays Premier League home match in charge of Chelsea. He has won 76 and lost one of the previous 99. This will also be Mourinho's 200th BPL fixture. He will have the most points won by a manager after 200 matches in the competition (453 in 199 matches).

Chelsea have won nine and lost one of the 12 BPL meetings with Crystal Palace. Palace have won seven of their nine league away matches since Alan Pardew’s appointment and have 22 points on the road in 2015, a league-high figure only matched by Chelsea and Arsenal.

Source: www.m.premierleague.com


Referee: Craig Pawson

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Time: 3PM WAT

I cant wait to watch d match of Man U vs Chelsea coz this will gone b an epic game...
Red Devils FOREVER.

KashyBaby:
I cant wait to watch d match of Man U vs Chelsea coz this will gone b an epic game...
Red Devils FOREVER.

Please baby, Go to bed.

And when the day comes, Chelsea will teach Man U how to play football. Just watch this space!!

Blue is the colour

KashyBaby:
I cant wait to watch d match of Man U vs Chelsea coz this will gone b an epic game...
Red Devils FOREVER.

.....and u will end up crying becos Chelsea will win the game

Bimffo:


Please baby, Go to bed.

And when the day comes, Chelsea will teach Man U how to play football. Just watch this space!!

Blue is the colour

When did Chelsea won Juz last year....look at ur players? Seems they really don't know how to play....juz wait til the Red Devils teach em how to play football like a PRO

spiritfada:



.....and u will end up crying becos Chelsea will win the game

Who gonna cry? Poor Chelsea ooo....they don't have even a strong player in their team. Juz wait and see for urself when Red Devils kick y'all ass

KashyBaby:


Who gonna cry? Poor Chelsea ooo....they don't have even a strong player in their team. Juz wait and see for urself when Red Devils kick y'all ass

Show some bit of respect to the reigning champions of England "CHELSEA" and focus on ur champions league qualifiers....lemme tell you, Chelsea na New Model while ur red ugly devil na old expired product

spiritfada:


Show some bit of respect to the reigning champions of England "CHELSEA" and focus on ur champions league qualifiers....lemme tell you, Chelsea na New Model while ur red ugly devil na old expired product

I bet u lick back soon what u juz.said... juz accept it tat Chelsea won't even be qualified in a quarter final baby...ur team is ain't tat strong enough..my eyes on em...

KashyBaby:


I bet u lick back soon what u juz.said... juz accept it tat Chelsea won't even be qualified in a quarter final baby...ur team is ain't tat strong enough..my eyes on em...

So as your team....Just chill till that day comes; I will poke at u back anytime you lose a game, starting from today onwards.

keep me posted

spiritfada:


So as your team....Just chill till that day comes; I will poke at u back anytime you lose a game, starting from today onwards.

KashyBaby:
keep me posted

Sure I will!

....following

Come on chelsea.
Come on the pride of london.
Go for the 3points #team yokohama
#blus army

_

Straight win..Ktbffh

Time to check out PhD
Ah just dey look mourinho with one eye

booked

We are winning this if you believe hit like. Up blues!!!

up blues.. for life..............................................................if u want chelsea to win... by 3-0..... hit like..............................up blues

Chelsea till dem kill BOKOHARAM finish

Make we watch the ball

Should be a Victory for Chelsea.














check out ma signature.

Wey them haters? Can I hear any 'Up Chelsea noise!'


Shey they said chelsea fans are noise makers? Una go hear better noise today.

thank u ver much buh u can sit down an wach gud football

Evathyst:
Wey them haters? Can I hear any 'Up Chelsea noise!'


Shey they said chelsea fans are noise makers? Una go hear better noise today.

Epl champions

Evathyst:
Wey them haters? Can I hear any 'Up Chelsea noise!'


Shey they said chelsea fans are noise makers? Una go hear better noise today.

A Chelsea Lady... Abeg, come siddon for ma side.

Chelsea F C will surely WIN....UPPPPPPPP BLUESSSS

waiting

3-0 in favor of CFC