Off goes Hazard, on comes Pedro. And the winger is quickly into the game, cutting in from the left before seeing a shot from 20 yards blocked by a Palace boot.

Image source, Getty Images

It is a poorly delivered free-kick, but Scott Dann salvages the situation at the back post to win a corner. Dann's centre-back colleague Damien Delaney meets the corner but loops his header into the hands of Thibaut Courtois. Neither keeper has been properly tested yet.

Image source, Reuters

It does not look good for Eden Hazard. He has signalled to the bench that he is not fit to continue. Pedro is getting stripped. Big blow for the Blues.

Palace have a dangerous free-kick on the right. Can they add to Chelsea's problems?

There's a battle taking place on and off the field at the moment as the Palace fans sing 'You're not special anymore' at the Chelsea supporters and get a rendition of 'Championies' in return.

Palace's Damien Delaney is the first man into the book for going through the back of Diego Costa.

Palace on the break... but they waste the opportunity. A better cross-field pass from Jason Puncheon to Wilfried Zaha would have put the winger in on goal but it was over-hit to begin with and once it hits the surface it skips out of play on the left.

Image source, Getty

Chelsea finally get a period of possession, which ends with Eden Hazard cutting in and firing a deflected shot past the far post. Worryingly, the Belgian limps around after his shot. One to keep an eye on.

Oh, Kurt Zouma gets a tad lucky as he slices a Palace cross from the right out for a corner. Fraizer Campbell was sniffing around. The corner comes to nothing, but soon after Wilfried Zaha rifles a long-range shot past the post. Well worth a go on a slippy surface like this.

Cesar Azpilicueta takes a blow to the face and needs a bit of treatment. Her continues to hold his jaw as he gets top his feet, but looks to be OK to continue.

Meanwhile, down in the Palace technical area, a hooded Alan Pardew is losing his battle with the rain.

Image source, Reuters

A strong run from Diego Costa into the Palace half is ended by an equally strong challenge from Damien Delaney. No reaction from the Chelsea striker. New Year resolution? Normally, he is up and snarling in those circumstances.

Image source, Getty Images

Jason Puncheon plays the corner to the edge of the area, where Scott Dann is on the charge, but it clears the defenders head and Chelsea clear.

Quick as a flash, Palace have a corner.

And we are under way.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Crystal Palace do the league double over Chelsea or will Guus Hiddink earn his first win in his second spell in charge of the blues?

Get involved and let us know your thoughts on the match via Twitter #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only).

The brollies are up, the floodlights are on and we are about four minutes from kick-off at Selhurst Park. Just enough time to stick a brew on.

Image source, Reuters

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew on Palace's 2015 and opponents Chelsea:

"We've had an unbelievable year but you can't stand still in the Premier League. I'd like a striker in the window.

"The results suggest my first year has gone well. I've bonded with the chairman and we have a fanbase second to none.

"The foundation of Chelsea's team is a bit better now, they have two deeper lying midfielders. They have great players." 

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has been talking about the emergence of the underdogs in the Premier League this season.

What with Leicester flying, and reigning champions Chelsea struggling, it's been unpredictable so far.

And Pardew said: "Suddenly the opportunity has come to get past them and, because we have been able to go out and buy better players, we can compete.

"It hasn't totally happened yet, but the opportunity is there. We have definitely upped our game.

"It's been an astonishing year and probably in terms of the other clubs the Premier League has been shaken up a bit.

"It must give big clubs like Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday hope as well. They must be thinking 'we can do a Crystal Palace or a Southampton or a Leicester'."

BBC Radio London

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