Hodgson admits underperforming Chelsea are 'unlikely to be frightened by Palace'

Roy Hodgson has admitted Chelsea will not be 'frightened' by facing his Crystal Palace side on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.

The Eagles are looking for their first win in seven games, despite having drawn their last two matches against Manchester City and Brighton.

Palace, meanwhile, have not beaten Chelsea in their last 10 meetings, and come into this game with Odsoune Edouard, Joel Ward and Sam Johnstone all injured.

While Mauricio Pochettino's side have had their fair share of injuries too, Hodgson lumped praise on their opponents, saying: 'When you look at their squad, most teams will look at it and think this is going to be a very tough game.

'I don't think we'll go to Chelsea with them being frightened out of their wits with the team we can come with, but I also believe we'll go there and give them as good a game as we've given the last three teams we've played — all of which are European teams.'

After drawing both of their last two games, Palace have the chance to go one-point behind Chelsea in the Premier league table in 13th place.

While the Blues will be the favourites to win at Stamford Bridge, Hodgson lumped praise on several key players, including Michael Olise, who starred for Palace last week against Brighton, setting up Jordan Ayew who put the Eagles a goal up.

Olise also scored a stoppage time penalty to help rescue a point against Man City the week before.

'We've been blessed with Wilfried [Zaha] over the years, but now we have Olise and also Eberechi Eze — two players who can do that job and get the crowd buzzing,' Hodgson said.

'We believe that with guys like Marc [Guehi] and Joachim Andersen, Eze, Olise, [Odsonne] Edouard and [Jean-Philippe] Mateta and what they're doing this year, there is enough