Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

The world champions are out to make a statement on their return to domestic competition

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea open the new Premier League campaign with a London derby, hosting Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Following that, they took just three weeks off before returning for pre-season at Cobham, winning two friendlies in quick succession against AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen.

For Crystal Palace, the high of winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League was promptly followed by demotion to the Conference League for a violation of multi-club ownership rules, which was held up on appeal.

They launched their 2025-26 season with silverware, though, beating Liverpool on penalties to claim the Community Shield.

Off-pitch, transfer dealings have been limited. Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have both been at the centre of swirling speculation but are set to remain in south London for Palace’s season opener. There have been just two arrivals in the form of former PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez and Ajax full-back Borna Sosa.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace is scheduled for a 2pm BST kick-off on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

The match will take place at Stamford Bridge.

Where to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 1pm 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.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace team news

Chelsea have been boosted ahead of this match by a pair of returnees, with Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana both available for selection.

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.

On top: Chelsea champions

Getty Images

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.

As for the Eagles, Oliver Glasner is facing a minor injury crisis. Chadi Riad is still recovering from an ACL injury, while Cheick Doucoure is thought to be nearing a return from his own knee issue.

Striker Eddie Nketiah will miss out with the same thigh issue which saw him ruled out for much of pre-season, and is not expected to return until early September.

Daichi Kamada is carrying a knee injury, expected to keep him out through the end of the month. Matheus Franca will face a late fitness test.

As with their opponents, the new signings will hope to debut. Sosa could slot in at full-back, though Benitez will likely be left on the bench in favour of Dean Henderson.

Glasner may, however, be inspired to rotate ahead of a midweek Conference League play-off.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace prediction

Chelsea are something of an unknown quantity this season. Nobody knows yet exactly how they will be affected by the Club World Cup and shortened summer holiday.

For now, though, they seem totally unfazed. The Blues flew through their two pre-season outings, hitting six goals. New signings have, for the most part, hit the ground running, and Palmer seems back to his best.

Across the pitch, though, Palace produced a pragmatic performance to cut down the reigning champions Liverpool in the Community Shield.

But whether they can handle Maresca’s free-flowing Blues remains to be seen.

Chelsea to win, 2-1

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a late equaliser to cancel out Palmer’s first-half opener when these sides last met in January.

Chelsea wins: 33

Crystal Palace wins: 14

Draws: 8

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace match odds

Chelsea to win: 1/2

Crystal Palace to win: 4/1

Draw: 5/2

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).