Match Preview for Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Chelsea begin the 2025-26 Premier League season as World Champions against a Crystal Palace side still basking in the glory of their FA Cup triumph last season and Community Shield victory a week ago.
Palace’s demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League has tainted that joy slightly but they will still head into the campaign full of optimism with the future seeming bright under Oliver Glasner.
The Eagles do, however, look set to start the season without key forward Eberechi Eze amid reports he will miss Sunday’s game as he edges closer to a move to Tottenham.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues will also be confident about their prospects for the season ahead, having also won the Conference League and secured a return to the Champions League last term, with the potential of a title challenge potentially in the back of their minds.
As is customary for the West Londoners, the summer has been busy in the transfer market with a number of players coming in but also leaving Stamford Bridge during the off-season.
The likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Willian Estevao have bolstered their frontline, with Jorrel Hato a promising addition to the backline.
Cole Palmer remains the main man for Chelsea after playing a starring role in their continental and international successes.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, with two draws in the Premier League last season ending a run of 14 straight victories for the Blues over the Eagles in all competitions.
Team news for Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Chelsea will be without key defender Levi Colwill for the majority of the campaign after an ACL injury in pre-season but Trevoh Chalobah is set to be fit for their Premier League opener.
Long-term absentee Wesley Fofana could be available but new signing Jorrel Hato or Tosin Adarabioyo seem more likely to get the nod at centre-back.
Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are still stepping up their recovery but will likely be unavailable for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro are in line to make their Premier League debuts for Chelsea alongside Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto in attack.
Palace will likely be without Eze according to recent reports but Marc Guehi should still be involved despite links to Liverpool. Justin Devenney should take Eze’s place in attack alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.
Predicted line-ups for Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Devenney
Key stats for Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches against Crystal Palace (13 wins, two draws), their longest active run against any side in the Premier League this season.
- Crystal Palace’s last victory at Stamford Bridge in the league came in April 2017 (under Sam Allardyce).
- This is the fifth time Chelsea have begun a league campaign with a London derby, winning each of the previous four.
- Crystal Palace have lost their opening league match in three of the last four seasons, with the exception being a 1-0 win at newly promoted Sheffield United in 2023-24.
