Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here to join the official TSZ FPL mini-league or join using the code 'xevugs'
Chelsea head into a London derby on the opening day of the season as they welcome Crystal Palace across the capital city to Stamford Bridge for an intriguing clash.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Telemundo
Chelsea preview: Champions of the world
In the calendar year of 2025, Chelsea have been much-improved, albeit performances remained underwhelming in the first few months of the campaign. The Blues finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Champions League on the final day of last season.
Since then, Enzo Maresca’s Blues defeated Real Betis in the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League before then hammering Paris Saint-Germain to win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, whilst they continue to spend extremely heavily on new signings.
Crystal Palace preview: Trophy winners
Crystal Palace have endured a turbulent summer transfer window, with the Eagles having been demoted from the UEFA Europa League to the UEFA Europa Conference League as a result of Olympique Lyonnais owner John Textor’s stake in the club.
Palace qualified for the UEFA Europa League as a result of winning their first ever major honour last season as they defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in mid-May, with Oliver Glasner’s extremely detailed and impressive planning.
Chelsea team news: Colwill blow
Enzo Maresca will be without England international defender Levi Colwill, as he is missing through an ACL injury he has recently sustained.
It has been confirmed by Maresca that Wesley Fofana “could be available”, though.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro
Unavailable: Badiashile (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Kellyman (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Jackson (Suspended)
Questionable: Fofana (Fitness)
Crystal Palace team news: Up in the air
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that both Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze have trained all week and he expects them to start this weekend, despite speculation surrounding their future.
Japan international midfielder Daichi Kamala is sidelined, though, alongside Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Unavailable: Riad (Injured), Kporha (Injured), Doucoure (Injured), Kamada (Injured), Franca (Injured), Nketiah (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace prediction
Chelsea only returned to pre-season about a week or so ago after their FIFA Club World Cup exploits and Enzo Maresca’s Blues could well be a bit behind the rest of the division. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, managed to win their second trophy of the year and second trophy ever as they defeated Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield last weekend. Palace are difficult to beat and especially against the better sides in the league and, with Chelsea perhaps not fully ready to go, siding with Palace may well be a good value bet for this one.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace tip: Double chance – Crystal Palace to win or draw
