Chelsea’s Premier League season is less than a day from getting underway, as they prepare to welcome FA Cup and Community Shield winners Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca will be hoping for a far more successful start to the campaign than last season, when the Blues were defeated by Manchester City 2-0.
The feeling around the club is far stronger following victories in the Club World Cup and Conference League. 12 months ago, Chelsea fans booed in Maresca’s first game in charge.
In the history of the Premier League, the Blues have a very strong record on the opening day of the season, normally getting their campaign off on the right foot.
Chelsea v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
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Chelsea looking to keep up tremendous record vs Crystal Palace in season opener
They faced Palace on the opening day back in 2021, winning 3-0 in a game best remembered for Trevoh Chalobah’s outstanding debut goal.
The record against their London rivals is very strong too, and no doubt a good omen going into Sunday’s meeting between the two sides.
As per BBC Sport, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches both home and away. They were on a run of 13 wins in a row before two draws against this opponent last season.
Their last defeat came back in 2017, however it only delayed the inevitable of Chelsea winning the title with Antonio Conte in charge.
Crystal Palace FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
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Key Palace player set to miss Chelsea clash
One of the danger men in the Palace squad looks set to not feature for them at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Eberechi Eze is set to miss the game, as talk of a move to Tottenham continues to move towards the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
The Blues will be well aware that there are still plenty of threats that could hurt them, particularly in attack as Chelsea look to put together their best possible defence amid injury concerns.
Levi Colwill is set to miss the majority of the new campaign after picking up a serious knee problem in training, while Wesley Fofana is in a race against time to return to full fitness ahead of the Palace clash.