Chelsea face a tricky start to the new season against Crystal Palace this weekend.
Enzo Maresca’s side host Palace on Sunday afternoon in their opening fixture of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Darren England will referee Chelsea against Palace. The London rivals played out two 1-1 draws in last season’s league meetings. However, the Blues should take confidence that they haven’t lost against the Eagles in any competition since 2017.
Even though Chelsea supporters are optimistic going into the new season, the feel-good factor could quickly fade with a slow start in the Premier League.
Roy Keane working as a pundit during the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Gary Neville and Roy Keane disagree on Chelsea vs Crystal Palace predictions
On The Overlap, Premier League legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane have disagreed on their score predictions for the upcoming match between Chelsea and Palace.
Pundit Prediction
Gary Neville Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
Roy Keane Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace
Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has never kept a clean sheet against Palace in six career attempts, so perhaps Maresca’s side will need to simply outscore the opponents with their attacking firepower.
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In terms of Chelsea’s defence, Fofana may be available against Palace, and the centre-back’s return would be timely given Levi Colwill’s ACL injury. However, it would be a major ask to throw him into the starting XI against a strong Palace team that will be riding the wave of winning the Community Shield against Liverpool last weekend.
Gary Neville working as a pundit for the Premier League match between West Ham and Brentford.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Chelsea’s record in London derbies last season
Yet again, seven teams from the capital will be involved in the new Premier League season, so the outcome of London derbies will have a major impact on the league position.
Home Away
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford Brentford 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham Tottenham 3-4 Chelsea
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea’s record in London derbies during the 2024/25 Premier League season
Chelsea collected 22 points out of a possible 36 points in last year’s London derbies, which is a pretty steady return.
It’s fascinating to see that the Blues start the new 2025/26 season with Palace (home), West Ham (away), Fulham (home) and Brentford (away) as their opening four league matches. Hopefully, they can prove they are the top team in London this season.