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Alan Shearer has backed Chelsea to secure all three points against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday (September 1). The pundit believes the Blues will overpower the Eagles this weekend given Palace's recent form.
The west Londoners have had a mixed start to the 2024-25 campaign so far under new manager Enzo Maresca. They suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in their opening fixture, courtesy of goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic.
However, the club turned things around with a statement 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers the following weekend. Noni Madueke grabbed a hat-trick as Cole Palmer scored once and bagged a hat-trick of assists, while Nicolas Jackson and Joao Felix also found the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have lost their first two games against Brentford and West Ham United. While Shearer believes Oliver Glasner's men have had some bad luck, the pundit does not see Palace winning the fixture.
Shearer said (via Metro):
"Crystal Palace have been a tad unlucky so far, but it’s been a disappointing start. Eze scored the amazing free-kick at Brentford in the first game which was wrongly chalked off at 0-0."
The former Newcastle United striker added:
"Depending on what happens between now and the end of the transfer window for Chelsea though, I think they’ll go into this game full of confidence after the result last weekend. I do think they’ll have too much for Crystal Palace."
The Blues are eighth in the Premier League table with three points under their belt.
Pundit explains why Chelsea won't sell Raheem Sterling to Arsenal or Manchester City
Former Chelsea midfielder Vinnie Jones believes the Blues would not want to sell Raheem Sterling to the likes of Arsenal or Manchester City. Sterling's future at Stamford Bridge seems bleak after Enzo Maresca admitted that he does not see the England international getting any minutes during his tenure.
The former Manchester City forward has been linked with Arsenal, who are in the market for an attacker this summer. However, Jones believes Chelsea wouldn't give the Gunners or the Cityzens a boost in the title race by selling them the 29-year-old.
The pundit said:
"I just read there, Sterling is only 29, he seems like he is 35, he has been around a long time. But what’s his next move? He is on massive wages. Who is going to take him? Someone like Manchester City or Arsenal? But do Chelsea want to help them win the league?"
"I don’t think Chelsea would want him to go somewhere and help them win the league, that’s the problem.”
Sterling has registered 81 appearances for the Blues, contributing 19 goals and 12 assists.
