Chelsea kick off their Premier League season with a London derby clash against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The two clubs enjoyed memorable campaigns last year, collecting three major trophies between them, while Palace have already added the Community Shield to their cabinet after overcoming Liverpool on penalties last weekend.
For Chelsea, the focus will be on sustaining consistency after last season’s ups and downs. Enzo Maresca guided his side to Europa Conference League and Club World Cup glory, but their league form faltered badly over the winter, and Champions League qualification was only secured on the final day. With another summer of heavy spending behind them, expectations remain high for the Blues to mount a stronger title push.
Palace, meanwhile, arrive in buoyant mood after defeating the reigning champions at Wembley. Oliver Glasner’s side are unbeaten in nine competitive matches, though August promises to be demanding, with a Conference League playoff against Norwegian side Fredrikstad wedged between tricky league fixtures against Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injuries
Chelsea team news
Maresca faces defensive headaches, with Levi Colwill ruled out for most of the season due to an ACL injury, and both Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile sidelined. That leaves Tosin Adarabioyo to partner Trevoh Chalobah in central defence.
In attack, Nicolas Jackson misses out through suspension, opening the door for Joao Pedro to lead the line, despite Liam Delap’s brace in a preseason win over AC Milan. Romeo Lavia is also unavailable, meaning Chelsea are likely to stick with the lineup that beat the Rossoneri.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sánchez (GK) — James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella — Enzo Fernández, Caicedo — Neto, Palmer, Gittens — Joao Pedro
Injured: Colwill (ACL), Fofana (knee), Badiashile (hamstring), Lavia (unspecified)
Suspended: Jackson
Crystal Palace team news
Captain Marc Guehi returned for the Community Shield and will anchor the defence, though transfer speculation continues to swirl around him and star playmaker Eberechi Eze. Adam Wharton is fit again and set to start, but Daichi Kamada’s injury means Will Hughes or Jefferson Lerma will partner him in midfield.
Eddie Nketiah has been ruled out with a muscle problem, joining long-term absentees Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad on the sidelines.
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Muñoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell — Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Injured: Kamada (knock), Nketiah (muscle), Doucouré (Achilles), Riad (knee)
Suspended: None
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace match details
- Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
- Kickoff time: 2:00 p.m. local (BST) / 9:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: To be confirmed
- VAR: To be confirmed