Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says concentration will be key to any Premier League success over Chelsea.

The game, at Stamford Bridge, is the first of a string of tough games for Palace coming up in the league, including Manchester City away and Spurs at home.

Then comes the mouth-watering Capital One Cup clash with Charlton Athletic, Pardew's former employers.

He said: “Playing Chelsea and Manchester City early in the season is better because teams get battle hardened as games go on, and there is a bit of looseness in teams early on.

“Chelsea is always a difficult game at the Bridge, I go there a lot so I know the manager very well.

“Mourinho gets his team organised in such a way that they can counter attack you at any given time, you have to be on your guard and the concentration levels needed to win there are really high.”

Despite the task ahead, Pardew was still confident that the Eagles, with one defeat in four, can pull off a win.

He said: “We have players who can produce games that don’t look like they are going anywhere, and then they give us the lead and we can win games.

“You need a bit of luck as well, you can’t just put in your best performance.”

He added: “Chelsea have some new players and they are integrating those. They have a side that looks to me could be better than last year, and last year that side won the league.“

“But we are evolving quickly, and I think we can compete with Everton and below.

“We can really push for a Europa League spot this year, and why not? We’ve won three so we should have that ambition.”

Mile Jedinak has picked up a hamstring injury, which Pardew reckons will keep him out for three weeks, while striker Marouane Chamakh and goalkeeper Julian Speroni are back from injury.

Despite losing his father recently, Yannick Bolasie will be involved in his sides game on Saturday.