**Chelsea**came into the 2024/25 campaign with a lot of uncertainty. The board had brought in Enzo Maresca to take the place of Mauricio Pochettino as the leader of the youngest squad in the Premier League. Despite a mid-season wobble, they walked away with a winning culture back on the mend.
The month of May ended on a high note. The Blues beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground to become the only 'Big Six' outfit to win at the stadium in the Premier League, earning a spot in the top four and a place in the Champions League for the first time in three years. Then came the first title of the Todd Boehly era with an emphatic 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Conference League final.
To top it off, Maresca's men became world champions in July. They finished second in their **Club World Cup**group due to a 3-1 loss to Flamengo, but beat two other Brazilian sides and **Benfica**to reach the final. There, they put three past **Paris Saint-Germain**in the first half to stun the world.
On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen lost momentum over the last twelve months. The 2023/24 season saw the first invincible campaign in **Bundesliga**history as Die Werkself won their maiden league title and topped off that achievement with a domestic double, earning the **DFB Pokal**crown.
By the historic standards of the side, last year was by no means bad. But the team did not get any major honours, finishing in second spot in the table to Bayern Munich, who also dumped them out of the **Champions League,**and losing the semi-final of the DFB Pokal to third tier Arminia Bielefeld.
Xabi Alonso exited the dugout, and his replacement was Erik ten Hag. A humbling 5-1 loss to the youth team of **Flamengo**was the worst way to mark the start of his stint, but he has since overseen three triumphs with his new group, who have scored seven goals and conceded only one strike.
Team News
Chelsea
BlueCo has bankrolled many more options for Maresca to choose from ahead of this campaign.
Marc Cucurella continues to rack up minutes on the left of the back four. But if he requires rest or rotation, the manager may call on the services of Jorrel Hato, who wrapped up a switch from Ajax.
Reece James has gone from strength to strength in terms of his fitness, but it is not wise to load him with too many minutes before the business begins. Malo Gusto has been the alternative to the club captain as a right back, while Andrey Santos should offer more depth to the squad in the midfield.
Joao Pedro could play as the striker in the starting eleven. If that position goes to Liam Delap, then he could play from the left wing. It is a role that Jamie Gittens will want to show he deserves to own.
Supporters shall be keen to see Estevao, who scored against his new team in the Club World Cup. Pedro Neto is another man who may be ahead of him in the roster, but his debut is much-awaited.
Bayer Leverkusen
Much of the team news for Leverkusen centres around the exodus from the squad during this summer.
At the start of June, **Jonathan Tah**traded jerseys to join Bayern Munich, so there have been minutes for two summer signings, Axel Tape and Jarell Quansah, in their rearguard. On the first day of July, **Jeremie Frimpong**also vacated a starting spot on the right of the defence as he signed for Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz has also put pen to paper for the Reds in Merseyside, and **Granit Xhaka**has returned to the Premier League. Two years after leaving Arsenal, he is now a part of the **Sunderland**squad.
The exit of the Swiss has meant fewer of the three midfielder lineups that Alonso elected for last year. Exequiel Palacios has partnered with **Robert Andrich**in a double pivot to anchor down the midfield.
Amine Adli is also considering a departure from the side, so the manager may throw Malik Tillman into the mix with the likes of Ibrahim Maza and Nathan Tella as support for the striker. Martin Terrier is taking time to recover from a torn Achilles tendon will miss out on the matchday squad.
Likely Line-ups
Chelsea
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Pedro; Delap
Bayer Leverkusen
Flekken; Quansah, Tape, Hincapié; Arthur, Palacios, Andrich, Grimaldo; Maza, Schick, Tella
Key Players
Chelsea – Joao Pedro
He might have barely spent a month on their books, but **Joao Pedro**already has the love of the fans.
The Brazilian played for half an hour on his debut against **Palmeiras**in the **Club World Cup**quarter-final, standing out with his ability to glide with the ball and bounce off defenders. It is a trait that does not elude him centrally or off the left, but the big question was whether he could score consistently.
It looks like he might be the man with a complete package of threat in his locker. Against his old club, Fluminense, he rattled two superb strikes into the back of the net to send his side into the final of the tournament. Then came an audacious chip to round off the first half against Paris Saint-Germain.
He might have done enough to hold onto the role of a central forward. Or he could feature from the left wing and allow **Liam Delap**to lead the frontline. Either way, he seems to be a surefire starter.
Bayer Leverkusen – Exequiel Palacios
With so many pillars of the first team walking out the door, there is room for different players to take control of the team. One of the biggest candidates is a faithful servant found in the middle of the park.
Exequiel Palacios moved to Die Werkself from River Plate at the start of 2020. During the last four seasons, he played at least 23 fixtures in the Bundesliga, becoming a mainstay in the starting eleven.
Under the old boss, Alonso, Xhaka was the ticker of the team, always asking for the ball to feet to distribute. Robert Andrich added ruggedness to the pivot, but the Argentine was the perfect partner for the Swiss, able to be an all-action midfielder, tough in the tackle, and willing to break into the box.
The arrival of Aleix Garcia meant that he earned more minutes in advanced areas of the field last campaign. But he has also given value to the team and is now primed to earn much more praise.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The game will take place at the home of Chelsea, Stamford Bridge.
What time is kick-off?
The kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 BST on Friday, 8 August 2025.
How can I watch?
Match footage will not be available on terrestrial TV. However, it is accessible through DAZN.