Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
Action Images via Reuters
The world champions Chelsea are back in domestic action today as they host Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener. There is plenty of cause for optimism for the Blues, who have enjoyed a productive summer in the transfer market and looked to be on top form in pre-season wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. They will face a tough test today, though, hosting Oliver Glasner’s Eagles.
It has been a challenging few months since Palace hoisted the FA Cup back in May, but they opened their season last week with a Community Shield triumph over Liverpool. All eyes today, though, will be on the team sheets. There is plenty of speculation around Eberechi Eze, who is close to a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but is reported to be in the matchday squad regardless and could start. The same is true of Marc Guehi, subject to interest from Liverpool.
Both sides won titles last year and are in the hunt for more this season. Who will start their campaign on the right foot? Follow the match LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Mr Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been boosted ahead of this match by a pair of returnees, with Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana both available for selection, though there is a fresh knock for the Blues amid reports Tosin Adarabioyo is set to miss out having picked up an injury in training.
Chalobah limped off with an ankle injury in last week’s friendly against AC Milan, which Enzo Maresca has downplayed as a non-issue, while Fofana has finally returned from a long-term lay-off.
“He will be available for Palace. We are very happy because he is an important player,” said the Italian.
Romeo Lavia remains absent with an issue picked up over the summer, while Levi Colwill is expected to miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL.
Chelsea’s eight summer signings will all hope to play their first Premier League minutes in the match. The Brazilian phenom Estevao has made a strong case for himself to start off the right, while Pedro is expected to lead the line in spite of Delap’s brace last time out.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event today, with coverage starting at 1pm BST ahead of a 2pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Follow along right here for the latest team news, analysis from Dom Smith, and minute-by-minute updates from kick off, which comes at 2pm.