da aposte e ganhe： Antonio Conte’s side have been almost impenetrable this season. Their kryptonite – if such a thing exists – has been height and well placed crosses. Dele Alli and Peter Crouch succeeded from diagonal balls into the box and caused the Blues problems. This weekend they face a Sam Allardyce team with a powerful, talented target man in the shape of Christian Benteke. The plan seems obvious, doesn’t it?
da roleta： Allardyce’s Palace have finally turned things around of late after a tricky time for the disgraced former England boss. Three straight victories have brought three straight clean sheets as Allardyce’s methods have taken hold of a squad that – as tired as the cliché is – have looked too good to go down. Of course no team is too good, but Palace’s natural talent in the squad should have made safety a guarantee.
That organised, hardened defence has coincided with the selection of Mamadou Sakho. The Frenchman has been a rock at the heart of the Eagles’ back line and will be awaiting a potentially classic duel with Chelsea’s monstrous centre forward, Diego Costa. With Hazard still a doubt for the match, Chelsea could struggle to break down a deep defensive line that will be set up to frustrate and pray on nicking a goal from a fast break down the flanks or a set piece.
It is on the rare occasions that they attack that Palace can turn this Premier League season around. Defeat for Chelsea here – with a hotly anticipated encounter with Manchester City coming up – would really pile the pressure on.
Benteke dropping on to Cesar Azpilicueta for an aerial duel may be a crude, tried tactic, but it is one that has plenty of merits. Quality delivery to the back post for that matchup and the Eagles will have plenty of joy. They will need to get possession in Chelsea’s third for that to happen, however, and that is where they may find difficulties.
Elsewhere, the box of tricks that is Wilfried Zaha will be a real asset should Palace catch Chelsea’s defence off guard with quick transitions. Either dribbling at the defensively uncertain Victor Moses or dragging Azpilicueta into a wide area – where Chelsea desperately do not want him – the Ivory Coast international could be the difference maker. He has matured from a magnificently talented youngster into a fearsome winger with end product to match.
The key for Allardyce, then, is to quash some of his backs to the wall instincts. He must set his side up to limit Chelsea, but not at the expense of his side’s own attacking strengths. Sitting on the back foot is okay, although they must be ready to emphatically jump onto the front foot at any moment. Chelsea are no longer a rock defensively and, of all the Premier League sides, Palace are the best equipped to target their glaring weaknesses.
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