Chelsea vs Crystal Palace preview, team news, kick-off

Team news and stats ahead of Chelsea vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 12.30pm).

Team news

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard confirmed Christian Pulisic is expected to be among the substitutes against Crystal Palace as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury.

However, the game will come too soon for summer signing Hakim Ziyech - who will miss out again - while Billy Gilmour is "progressing well" and could be fit again in the coming weeks.

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Crystal Palace have seen Gary Cahill, James Tomkins, Scott Dann and Patrick van Aanholt back in training this week, although they will not be fit to feature at Stamford Bridge having yet to play this season.

Elsewhere, Jeffrey Schlupp remains the only major absentee for Roy Hodgson.

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How to follow

Follow Chelsea vs Crystal Palace in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

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Watch the Premier League live on Sky Sports

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At least 146 Premier League games will be shown live on Sky Sports in the 2020/21 season, with an additional six matches added across the first weekend of October.

The Premier League has further increased the number of televised games this season from 200 to 231, with over half of the extra fixtures set to be shown live on Sky Sports.

Overall, Sky Sports will be showing at least 146 Premier League matches live throughout the 2020/21 season, continuing to bring you all the latest twists, turns and shocks at the home of the Premier League.

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There will also be two additional midweek programmes - one will be played across the weeks commencing January 11 and 18 and the second will be in the week commencing May 10. All of these games will be broadcast live.

You can also follow the action with our dedicated live blogs on the Sky Sports website and app, and watch free match highlights from every game shortly after full-time on our digital platforms and YouTube channel.

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Opta stats

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• Chelsea have won each of their last five Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace; they've never previously won six league games in a row against the Eagles.
• Crystal Palace have won just two of their 11 Premier League away games against Chelsea (D1 L8), with those victories coming in consecutive visits in August 2015 and April 2017.
• None of the last 18 Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Crystal Palace have finished level, with the Blues winning 14 to Palace's four. Only Newcastle v Tottenham (21 between 1999-2010) and Chelsea v Sunderland (19 between 2002-2014) have seen longer runs without a draw in the competition.
• Chelsea have the best win rate in Premier League London derbies, with the Blues winning 132 of their 256 such games (51.6%). Meanwhile, only Fulham (19.4%) have a lower such win rate than Crystal Palace (23.1% - 24/104).
• Chelsea haven't lost their opening two home league matches in a season since the 1978-79 campaign, when the Blues went on to be relegated from the top flight.
• Crystal Palace are looking to win their opening two away Premier League matches of a season for the third time (also 1997-98 and 2015-16) and could become only the second team to win at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford in consecutive away Premier League games, after Sunderland in April/May 2014.

Transfer Deadline Day - October 5

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The summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday October 5 with a feast of activity throughout the day involving the biggest names in football.

Some of the highlights to enjoy on Sky Sports News and across our Sky Sports platforms:

• Breakfast with David Ginola and Rachel Yankey
• The Football Show Special with Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole
• Countdown with Harry and Jamie Redknapp
• Supporters at the heart of the show with Sky VIP fan wall

You can also follow the stories on Sky Sports' digital platforms, with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

Here's all you need to know about Deadline Day and how to keep across all the deals and drama with Sky Sports.

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