Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: 2025/26 EPL season opener match preview, prediction
Crystal Palace forward, Eberechi Eze been tackled by Chelsea’s defenders. Photo Credit- EmperorA
The 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off with a thrilling London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 17, 2025, as Chelsea host Crystal Palace at 14:00 BST. Both sides come into the match with high expectations after successful 2024/25 campaigns, with Chelsea fresh off a Europa Conference League title and Crystal Palace celebrating FA Cup glory. This preview explores both teams’ performances, tactics, team news, injuries, head-to-head statistics, and a predicted scoreline.
Chelsea team performances
Chelsea enter the 2025/26 season brimming with confidence after a transformative 2024/25 under Enzo Maresca. Finishing fourth in the Premier League and clinching the Europa Conference League title, the Blues have rediscovered their swagger. Their pre-season was compact but impressive, featuring a 4-1 rout of AC Milan and a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, showcasing their attacking depth. New signings Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jorrel Hato, and Jamie Gittens have integrated well, with Cole Palmer remaining the talisman. Chelsea’s recent form (W-W-D-W-L) includes a Club World Cup triumph. Fans on social media highlight concerns over their backline’s vulnerability, with two goals conceded during pre-season games, but Maresca’s squad depth offers optimism.
Chelsea tactics
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea employ a fluid 4-2-3-1, emphasizing quick transitions and triangular passing patterns. Cole Palmer operates as a roaming No. 10, supported by wingers Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens, with Joao Pedro or Liam Delap leading the line. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez anchor the midfield, allowing Reece James to invert from right-back into a hybrid midfield role. Chelsea’s high-pressing style aims to overwhelm opponents early, but their defense, missing key players, may struggle against Palace’s counter-attacks. Substitutes like Estevao and Andrey Santos could provide a spark if needed.
Chelsea’s team news and injuries
Chelsea face several injury concerns. Nicolas Jackson is suspended (serving the final match of a three-game ban from a red card against Newcastle), paving the way for Joao Pedro or Liam Delap to start. Benoit Badiashile (leg), Levi Colwill (ACL surgery), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) are ruled out, while Omari Kellyman (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (hamstring) are doubtful. New signings Jorrel Hato and Jamie Gittens are fit and could debut, with Estevao and Andrey Santos pushing for minutes. Robert Sanchez is expected in goal, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah forming the center-back pairing.
Chelsea predicted lineups (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Gittens, Palmer, Neto; Pedro.
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Crystal Palace team form
Crystal Palace are riding a wave of momentum after a historic 2024/25 season, where they won the FA Cup and set a club-record points tally in the Premier League under Oliver Glasner. Unbeaten since a 5-0 loss to Newcastle in April, the Eagles edged Liverpool 3-2 on penalties in the Community Shield after a 2-2 draw. Their pre-season included wins over West Ham and Leicester, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze leading the charge. Palace’s form (W-W-D-W-W) reflects their resilience, though their Conference League commitments could stretch their squad. New signings Bernd Sosa and Walter Benitez bolster their depth, but a potential Eberechi Eze transfer looms as a risk. Palace’s ability to compete against top sides, as evidenced by their Community Shield performance, makes them a dangerous opponent.
Crystal Palace tactics
Oliver Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 prioritizes defensive compactness and rapid counter-attacks. Jean-Philippe Mateta occupies center-backs, creating space for Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr to exploit. Adam Wharton’s precise passing drives the midfield, while Daniel Munoz’s overlapping runs from right wing-back stretch defenses. Palace’s low block and ability to feed off scraps, as seen against Liverpool, make them tough to break down. Their strategy will likely focus on absorbing Chelsea’s pressure and targeting gaps left by Cucurella or James.
Crystal Palace’s team news and injuries
The Eagles’ injury list is lighter but significant. Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) are out, while Daichi Kamada (knee) is doubtful, and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) is sidelined. Marc Guehi, linked with a move away, is expected to start alongside Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards in the back three. Eberechi Eze, despite transfer speculation, is set to feature, with Mateta leading the attack. Dean Henderson remains the first-choice goalkeeper, and new signing Bernd Sosa could see action off the bench.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.
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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace head-to-head statistics
Chelsea dominate with 20 wins in 26 meetings against Palace, who have just one victory (October 2017, 2-1 at Selhurst Park). The last five encounters have been tight, with four draws, including two 1-1 results in 2024/25. At Stamford Bridge, Palace haven’t won at Chelsea since 2015, and Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 12 home games against Palace (10 wins, 2 draws). Four of the last five meetings produced under 2.5 goals, reflecting competitive, low-scoring affairs. Chelsea’s home dominance (W4-D1 in last five vs. Palace at Stamford Bridge) gives them an edge.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace scoreline prediction
Chelsea’s attacking depth and home advantage make them favorites, with a 60% win probability (odds of 1.67). Cole Palmer’s creativity (1.5 key passes per game) and Joao Pedro’s pre-season form (2 goals vs. AC Milan) could exploit Palace’s depleted defense. However, Palace’s counter-attacking threat, led by Mateta and Eze, and their Community Shield resilience suggest they can trouble Chelsea’s injury-hit backline. The Blues’ lack of clean sheets in pre-season (conceding in three of four games) and Palace’s knack for late goals point to a close contest.
A Chelsea win is likely, but Palace’s defensive solidity (1.1 goals conceded per game last season) and counter-attacking prowess could keep it tight. A 2-1 Chelsea victory is the most probable outcome, with Palmer or Pedro scoring and Sarr or Eze nabbing a late consolation. A 1-1 draw is a plausible alternative if Chelsea’s defense falters.
