Chelsea get their Premier League campaign underway with a London derby against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The clubs won three trophies between them last season, and the Eagles have already added another, clinching the Community Shield last weekend.
Match preview
Fresh from their Conference League and Club World Cup glory, Chelsea return to domestic action looking to improve on a fourth-place finish last season.
While securing Champions League football was a welcome accomplishment, more will be expected of Enzo Maresca’s men this season, given the money that has been invested into the squad.
The jury is still out on the Chelsea boss, despite his cup successes, as the Blues collapsed midway through last season, only clinching Champions League football on the final day, after being in contention with Liverpool at the top in December.
It has been a very short preseason for Chelsea due to their Club World Cup commitments, and even though they have spent nine figures in the transfer market yet again, few are backing them for the title.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy alongside Reece James and Joao Pedro on July 13, 2025
Maresca’s men have squeezed in two friendlies on the eve of the season, beating both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan at home, but the real business starts now, and Chelsea face four fellow London clubs in their first four games: Palace, West Ham, Fulham and Brentford.
Chelsea were beaten by Manchester City on the opening weekend last season, but you have to go back to the late-90s to find the last time they lost their first match in successive seasons.
Palace also represent favourable opponents for the hosts, because they are unbeaten in 15 Premier League encounters versus the Eagles, including eight here at the Bridge, winning seven.
The two clubs also met on the opening day back in 2021, with Chelsea winning 3-0 here, meaning the Blues have won all four previous matches against London clubs on the opening day.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi lifts the Community Shield on August 10, 2025
This represents a tricky start for Palace, who have a very busy August ahead of them, because after losing their appeal against demotion to the Conference League, they will now have to face Fredrikstad in a two-legged playoff starting on Thursday.
Oliver Glasner’s men made the perfect start to the new season, going toe-to-toe with champions Liverpool in the Community Shield, taking Arne Slot’s side to penalties, where they were victorious.
With the futures of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi up in the air though, that could have an effect on the team, who have to travel to Chelsea first, and Aston Villa before the month is out, as well as welcoming Nottingham Forest to Selhurst Park, in what will be a very spiky affair.
That will not phase Palace though, who are nine competitive matches unbeaten, and will seek to make a much better start compared to last term, when they won just one of their opening 13 games.
Chelsea Preseason form:
W W
Crystal Palace form (all competitions)
W
Team News
Chelsea's Joao Pedro in action against AC Milan on August 10, 2025
Chelsea will be without Levi Colwill for most of the upcoming season after he tore his ACL in preseason, and with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile also dealing with setbacks, Tosin Adarabioyo is set to partner Trevoh Chalobah at the back.
Nicolas Jackson is banned following his red card at Newcastle United late last season, so that means Joao Pedro is set to start, despite Liam Delap netting a brace off the bench against Milan last week.
Romeo Lavia is also sidelined at present, so the team Maresca fielded against the Rossoneri could be the one he selects here.
Adam Wharton was a welcome returnee to the Palace side for the Community Shield, after he missed the back end of last season with injury, as was captain Guehi, but his future at the club is now in doubt following interest from Liverpool.
Daichi Kamada was forced off with injury last weekend, so Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma will compete to start in midfield next to Wharton.
Eddie Nketiah picked up a muscle injury in preseason and will miss out, joining long-term absentees Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad on the treatment table.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
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We say: Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace
It will not be a straightforward opening fixture for Chelsea, who were held by Palace at home last season, and history could repeat itself, especially after seeing how impressive the Eagles were against Liverpool a week ago.
If Guehi and Eze are in the side, that strengthens the visitors’ chances even more, as they seek to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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