Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 16/5
Bookmaker: ZetBet
With both teams winning trophies over the summer, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are set to clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in what will be the opening match of their respective Premier League campaigns.
Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup, arguably shocking the football world with a convincing triumph over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the final, and Palace, as the FA Cup winners from last season, won the Community Shield in a similarly surprising fashion, edging out Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties.
Chelsea
Fresh off their Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, Chelsea return to Premier League duty with the aim of building on last seasonâs fourth-place finish. Securing a Champions League spot was certainly a positive, but given the heavy investment in the squad, far greater progress will be demanded this term.
Despite his cup successes, questions still linger over Enzo Maresca, as the Blues collapsed midway through last season and only clinched a top-four finish on the final day, having once been in contention with Liverpool near the summit back in December.
Their Club World Cup commitments left little time for preseason, and although they have spent another nine-figure sum in the market, few consider Chelsea as genuine title challengers. Two friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan were squeezed in, both ending in home victories, but the real test begins now with four consecutive London derbies against Palace, West Ham, Fulham and Brentford.
Chelsea lost their opening fixture to Manchester City last season, yet they have not suffered defeats on the first weekend in back-to-back campaigns since the late 1990s.
Team News
Chelsea’s centre-back ranks are depleted rather severely at the moment, with Levi Colwill sidelined long-term following an ACL tear, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile also face setbacks. This means Tosin Adarabioyo is set to partner Trevoh Chalobah in the heart of defence.
Up front, Nicolas Jackson is suspended after his red card at Newcastle late last season, so Joao Pedro is expected to lead the line, despite Liam Delap impressing with a brace against Milan. Romeo Lavia remains out injured, leaving Maresca likely to stick with the same lineup that faced the Rossoneri.
Crystal Palace
Chelsea face Crystal Palace in favourable circumstances, having gone 15 Premier League games unbeaten against the Eagles, including eight at Stamford Bridge, where they have won seven. The clubs last met on the opening day in 2021, when Chelsea claimed a 3-0 home victory, and the Blues have won all four previous season openers against London rivals.
For Palace, this is a difficult start to a busy August. Following their failed appeal against demotion to the Conference League, Oliver Glasnerâs side must now take on Fredrikstad in a two-legged playoff beginning Thursday. Still, they enter the campaign on a positive note after edging champions Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield.
Speculation over the futures of Eberechi Eze and captain Marc Guehi adds uncertainty, as Palace face a challenging run with trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa, along with a fiery home fixture against Nottingham Forest. However, unbeaten in nine competitive matches, they will aim for a stronger start than last season, when they won only one of their first 13 league games.
Team News
Adam Whartonâs return from injury was a boost in the Community Shield, while Guehi also featured despite links to Liverpool.
Daichi Kamada went off injured in that match, leaving Will Hughes or Jefferson Lerma likely to partner Wharton in midfield. Eddie Nketiah, who picked up a muscle injury in preseason, will miss out along with long-term absentees Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad.
Conclusion
Chelseaâs opener is unlikely to be straightforward, having been held by Palace at Stamford Bridge last season, and a repeat result cannot be ruled out after the Eaglesâ strong display against Liverpool a week ago.
If Guehi and Eze feature, Palaceâs prospects improve further, with the visitors aiming to stretch their unbeaten streak to 10 competitive matches.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 16/5
Bookmaker: ZetBet