UNBEATEN Chelsea welcome Crystal Palace to Selhurst Park on Super Sunday. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) picks out his favourite betting angle.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace | Sunday 4th November 2018, 16:00 | Sky Sports
Maurizio Sarri is aiming to extend his unbeaten start to the season as his Chelsea side welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on Super Sunday.
The former bank manager has overseen a seamless transition to life as a Premier League boss and the Blues opening has gone a little under the radar. Many will be looking at Chelsea as mortgage material here but it’s a case of getting with them at a more acceptable price than the 1/3 on offer.
The Blues have only conceded seven league goals thus far but the underlying performance data suggests they’ve been a tad lucky. Expected Goals figures have the capital club forecast for conceding 1.20 goals per-game, whereas their actual figure is 0.70.
It’s a different side of the coin for the visitors, however. Crystal Palace have struggled to put away their chances; the Eagles are scoring an average of 0.70 goals this term, although their xG figure is almost double that tally.
Roy Hodgson has cut a frustrated figure in the past couple of weeks and it’s understandable. Palace do lack a number nine who’s confident in front of goal – instead they’re highly reliant on the pace and skill of Wilfred Zaha to do damage.
It’s positive to see the Eagles creating a decent enough amount of good opportunities, though and one will drop at some point. It will take a lot from them to outscore this slick Chelsea outfit, mind.
The betting angles
There’s not a tonne of value in the handicap markets so I’m going to take a chance on Palace notching in a Chelsea win. Betway go 15/8 on this and Palace have recent history on their side – they’ve managed to score in each of their last three meetings with the boys from the Bridge.
Another alternative angle that has caught my eye comes in the Bookings markest. Pundits have been dishing out superlatives left, right and centre for the emergence of Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
I’m party to the bandwagon; he’s been superb and to earn such rave reviews for a full-back is a rarity. His tackles and interceptions data is up there among the best in the Premier League – he loves to get stuck-in but he’s due to mistime one at some point soon.
Wan-Bissaka will have his hands full with that Chelsea left-hand side; Marcos Alonso likes to join the attacks and it’s a prime spot for Eden Hazard to wander into when he wants to find some space. Unibet go 4/1 on the youngster to be carded.
Best Bets
Chelsea v Crystal Palace – Chelsea to win and Both Teams To Score (15/8 Betway)
Chelsea v Crystal Palace – Aaron Wan-Bissaka to be carded (4/1 Unibet)
