By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, January 25, 2026 - Chelsea travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in what is shaping up to be a compelling London derby in the Premier League. The short journey across the capital adds local pride to the stakes as both sides look to make their mark in this match that matters for fans across England and in Africa who follow the English top flight closely.
Chelsea arrive at this fixture with confidence. Under manager Liam Rosenior, the Blues have shown promising form with back-to-back wins in all competitions. Their performance has lifted spirits among supporters, and they will be eager to extend that momentum on the road against a local rival.
The head-to-head record clearly favors Chelsea. They are unbeaten against Palace in the last 16 Premier League meetings, winning the majority of those matches with only a handful of draws. In their recent encounters, Chelsea have often controlled possession and created more scoring chances, showing strength both in defence and in attack.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have struggled for consistent results lately. They have gone several matches without a win in the league, and the Eagles will be keen to change that trend in front of their passionate home crowd. Palace’s squad has been hit by injuries, which could make it harder for them to maintain intensity throughout the match.
Tactically, this contest typically sees Chelsea dominate possession and try to break down a Palace defence that sits deep and looks to counter-attack. Chelsea’s attackers create danger through quick combinations and set-pieces, while Palace rely on moments of individual skill and long balls forward to test defenders.
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This derby provides a chance to follow familiar faces and rising talents. Chelsea’s squad includes young stars who have been making an impact, while Palace boast players with flair and creativity capable of turning a game around. Watching these matches can be especially rewarding for fans in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and other nations where Premier League coverage is strong and widely followed.
Even though Chelsea are favourites on paper, local derbies often have unpredictable moments. Palace will be determined to use their home advantage and earn a positive result. They know a strong performance against a big club like Chelsea could lift morale and spark better form going forward.
In the end, expect a fast-paced match with both sides pushing for control. Chelsea might feel they have the edge based on recent history, but Palace’s hunger for a win and the derby atmosphere could make this clash a tight and entertaining contest.
