Chelsea will be looking to extend a 25-year streak when they play host to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
On the back of winning the Club World Cup, the Blues head into 2025-26 as one of the favourites to lift the top-flight trophy come the end of the season.
That is despite Chelsea having played just two pre-season fixtures and Enzo Maresca being outspoken regarding his desire to sign a new central defender before the end of the summer transfer window.
Community Shield winners Crystal Palace are the first visitors to Stamford Bridge and will be viewed as genuine contenders to earn three points on their short trip to West London.
However, Chelsea are looking to extend a number of streaks with what would feel like a statement victory over the Eagles.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer in action against Crystal Palace on January 4, 2025
What streaks can Chelsea extend?
Sunday's encounter will represent the fifth time that Chelsea have played a fellow capital-based club on the opening day of a Premier League campaign since 2000.
On the four previous occasions, they have prevailed, West Ham United (twice), Charlton Athletic and Palace having all been defeated during that period.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have impressively gone 15 Premier League fixtures against Palace without suffering a defeat, posting 13 wins and two draws.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the two fixtures during 2024-25 both ended in 1-1 draws.
Chelsea are looking to avoid losing successive opening-day fixtures since 1998-99, when they succumbed to Coventry City on both occasions.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner pictured on October 30, 2024
Palace's recent opening-day record
Palace have suffered defeat on three of the last four occasions in opening-day Premier League matches, only defeating Sheffield United during that time.
Furthermore, Oliver Glasner takes his side to Stamford Bridge on the back of just one away win in their last six such fixtures in the Premier League.
On a positive note, Palace have the benefit of playing Liverpool in last weekend's Community Shield, finishing the game far stronger than the top-flight champions.
Glasner will hope that his players do not have one eye on Thursday's fixture with Fredrikstad, the first leg of their Conference League playoff tie with the Norwegian outfit.
ID:579373:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3683:
No Data Analysis info