Antonio Conte states his prediction for Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Antonio Conte has warned his Chelsea players that they are in for a stern test of their title credentials against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues head into the game looking to continue their march towards the title and have been in fine form in recent weeks.

Conte has watched his side build a 10-point lead at the top of the table, with the Blues the heavy favourites to lift the Premier League trophy in May.

The west London side are preparing to welcome Sam Allardyce’s Eagles team to Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Conte has warned that it will not be an easy game for his team.

“I remember very well the last game against Crystal Palace. We deserved to win but we also suffered,” said Conte, speaking at his pre-match news conference at Cobham on Friday afternoon.

“They have a lot of great players – Benteke is a top player, the same with Zaha, Townsend is another player I like a lot, Cabaye, Puncheon, a lot of great players.

“If you ask me why they are in this position, I don’t know. It’s very strange. When you have this team with these great players it can happen, like with Chelsea last season.

MORE: The latest Chelsea news and views

MORE: The latest Chelsea player tweets

“They have won the last three games; in the last six games they are sixth in the table. We have to pay great attention.”

Chelsea’s brilliant upturn in form this season has been in stark contrast to their struggles last term, when they ended up 10th and without a trophy.