## Mateta Takes Centre Stage as Eagles Clash with Chelsea Amidst Turmoil
Crystal Palace’s in-demand forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta, is poised to spearhead their attack in a crucial London derby against Chelsea. His confirmed place in the starting XI comes as the Eagles desperately seek to put a turbulent period behind them.
The Selhurst Park outfit has endured a challenging stretch both on and off the pitch. Manager Oliver Glasner recently confirmed his impending departure at the season’s close, while influential captain Marc Guehi made a high-profile move to Manchester City. Adding to the unease, Mateta himself has become the subject of intense transfer speculation, with multiple clubs reportedly vying for his signature.
Against this backdrop of upheaval, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Palace has experienced a significant slump in form. Their current seven-game winless streak in the Premier League is a stark indicator, with only Burnley suffering a longer run (13 games) without a victory. Historically, clashes with their London adversaries, Chelsea, have also proved difficult. The Eagles have managed a mere three clean sheets in their last 34 league encounters with the Blues, suggesting a formidable challenge awaits them.
Meanwhile, Chelsea arrives with a renewed sense of purpose under the stewardship of their newly appointed manager, Liam Rosenior. The Blues are eyeing a significant climb up the table, currently sitting a tantalising two points shy of a coveted top-four position. Despite their ambitions, Chelsea’s recent league form has also been inconsistent, having secured only one victory in their last six outings. This derby presents an opportunity for them to solidify their aspirations and build momentum.
Can Palace rally to secure only their second win in seven league games, or will Chelsea consolidate their push for European qualification?
## Crystal Palace Team News
The Eagles’ lineup for this afternoon’s crucial fixture sees:
(Crystal Palace F.C. Official Twitter Lineup)
## Chelsea Team News
Liam Rosenior’s chosen eleven to face Palace is:
(Chelsea F.C. Official Twitter Lineup)