Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Chelsea host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a London derby that kicks off the 2025/26 Premier League season for both clubs.

The fixture pits two newly-crowned champions against each other, with Chelsea entering the campaign as FIFA Club World Cup winners and Palace buoyed by their historic FA Cup and Community Shield double.

Chelsea, backed by a number of summer signings, are aiming to mount a serious title challenge, while Oliver Glasner’s Palace will be looking to build on the momentum of last season’s triumphs.

Although the hosts are unbeaten in their last 15 league meetings with the Eagles, Palace’s formidable defensive organisation promises a stern test on the opening day.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news

Team News

Chelsea

Manager Enzo Maresca could hand competitive debuts to a raft of new attacking signings, including Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao, and Jamie Gittens, who will look to support chief playmaker Cole Palmer.

However, Maresca is without key defender Levi Colwill, who is sidelined long-term with an ACL injury, while striker Nicolas Jackson serves a suspension carried over from last season. In a timely boost for the backline, both Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana have returned to full fitness.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace’s squad has a familiar look, with Borna Sosa the main summer arrival from Ajax to provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell at left-back. The team will continue to be built around key assets such as Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, though both are subject of transfer interest.

Oliver Glasner will be without forward Edward Nketiah due to injury, and midfielder Daichi Kamada is a major doubt after picking up a knock in the Community Shield victory. Aside from those concerns, Palace report a clean bill of health.

Form

Chelsea

Chelsea enjoyed a successful summer, lifting the FIFA Club World Cup and following it with an impressive run of results in their pre-season friendlies. Enzo Maresca’s side will be looking to carry that winning momentum into the new campaign.

Crystal Palace

Palace head into the season on a high after their historic cup double, though their pre-season friendly results were mixed. Oliver Glasner will be aiming to replicate the superb defensive resilience that proved the foundation of last term’s success.

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea: Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.

How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 1pm BST for the 2pm kick-off. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Sky Go app.

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