Chelsea play host to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon having recorded five successive victories in the Premier League - a run which has taken the club into fourth position in the standings.
Meanwhile, as a result of last weekend's defeat to Leicester City, Palace make the trip to Stamford Bridge sitting in ninth place.
Chelsea
© Reuters
While Chelsea remain far from the finished article under Frank Lampard, few of their supporters have reason to complain with maximum points being recorded in the Premier League since September 28.
There is an argument that the Blues have enjoyed a favourable run of fixtures, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, Newcastle United, Burnley and Watford all coming in succession.
Nevertheless, Lampard and his players were under pressure to start turning performances into results, something which has proven easier since they narrowly lost out to leaders Liverpool.
Despite the natural positives, however, Chelsea are yet to convince in front of their home supporters - a trend which continued against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Lampard was quick to praise the character of his side, who came back from a 4-1 deficit, but their opponents had outclassed them for much of the game until the freak double dismissal of each of their centre-backs.
Chelsea's frailties at the back were also exposed once again, with two own goals coming as a result of their lack of concentration at set pieces and a further double being conceded due to poor defending.
Nine goals have now been shipped from four outings in all competitions, leaving Lampard under pressure to find a solution if his team are going to remain in the hunt for second position.
Overall, it has been a strong few weeks for the west Londoners, although that outlook may change if they fail to see off Palace at the weekend.
Recent form: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWD
Crystal Palace
© Reuters
While a three-match winless streak has left Palace back down in mid-table, Roy Hodgson will still be relatively satisfied with his side's start to the campaign.
Their biggest priority was to stay clear of the relegation zone, and the Eagles currently find themselves seven points clear of the bottom three.
With just two points separating Palace and fifth-placed Arsenal, Hodgson and his team now have the freedom to attempt to break into the top six at a time when the majority of the clubs around them are producing their best form.
The likes of the Gunners, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur may eventually put together a run of results which catapults them back into the mix further up the table but for now at least, Palace have the opportunity to make the step up that they have always threatened since Hodgson's arrival.
Seven points have come from away games at Arsenal, Man United and West Ham United this season, and it would not come as a huge surprise if Palace emerged victorious against one of their London rivals.
Despite the one-sided defeats to Manchester City and Leicester City at Selhurst Park, Palace have come from behind to earn four points from losing positions in their last two derby showdowns.
As well as wanting to end Palace's streak without a clean sheet, Gary Cahill will be keen to impress against his former club having sat out much of his final year at Chelsea.
Aware of possible interest from the Blues, long-serving Wilfried Zaha may also relish the chance to finally net his first goal of the season.
Recent form: DWWLDL
Team News
© Reuters
Despite sustaining an ankle injury against Ajax, Mason Mount has been included in the squad for Saturday's fixture.
However, Ross Barkley, who has been carrying a similar problem, has been ruled out by Lampard.
Providing that he comes through training unscathed this week, N'Golo Kante will come in for Jorginho, who serves a one-match ban for five yellow cards.
Emerson Palmieri should return at left-back in place of Marcos Alonso, with Reece James having to make do with a place on the substitutes' bench.
As for Palace, James McArthur is regarded as a major doubt after suffering a back injury against Leicester last weekend.
While Cahill and Cheikhou Kouyate sustained head injuries during the same match, both players are expected to be passed fit.
Each of Mamadou Sakho and Andros Townsend are likely to remain on the sidelines.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Palmieri; Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Mount, Hudson-Odoi; Abraham
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Van Aanholt; McCarthy, Kouyate, Milivojevic; Schlupp, Zaha, Ayew
Head To Head
Saturday's contest will represent the 55th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Chelsea registering 27 wins in comparison to just 12 victories for Palace.
However, while the Blues have prevailed in their last three games, Palace recorded back-to-back triumphs in 2017, one of which came at Stamford Bridge.
Sixteen matches and 24 years have passed since this fixture ended in a draw, with the last stalemate coming at the home of the Blues in March 1995.
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
While Chelsea's unconvincing run of home performances may continue this weekend, we feel that the Blues will just about do enough to see off the challenge of Palace. However, given his side's exploits on Tuesday evening, Lampard's use of substitutions could be key.
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