Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Match preview, team news, predicted lineups, key players

The world champions are beginning their Premier League campaign with a London derby at the Bridge against FA Cup and Community Shield champions today.

The Blues enjoyed a successful end to their previous season by qualifying for Champions League football on the final day and winning the Conference League.

Match preview

Chelsea have kicked off the Premier League with a capital derby four times previously, each ending in victory for the West Londoners.

They have posted more opening-weekend victories (20) in the Premier League era than any rival except Manchester United (22).

The Blues have a win percentage of 60.6 in matchday-one Premier League fixtures, along with an aggregate goal difference of +33. In 2021, Chelsea defeated the Eagles in the opening match at Stamford Bridge.

Crystal Palace lost three of their last four opening league fixtures, the exception being a win against newly-promoted Sheffield United in 2023.

Team news

Chelsea

The West Londoners have several injury concerns, particularly in defence, with Levi Colwill out for the season with an ACL injury. Wesley Fofana is still recovering from a long-term injury, and Benoît Badiashile is also not fully fit. Tosin Adarabioyo has suffered an injury in training and is out of the opening day fixture.

Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi are likely to start despite transfer speculation. However, they will be without several players due to injury, with Caleb Kporha, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure, Daichi Kamada, Eddie Nketiah, and Matheus Franca all ruled out for the match.

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea: Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Acheampong, Cucurella; Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez; Neto, Pedro, Gittens.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.

Key players

Chelsea

João Pedro: The newly signed Brazilian striker will be decisive for the Blues, as he has performed and shown his quality so far.

Cole Palmer: “Ice cold” Palmer will be seeking to continue from where he left off the previous two seasons, as he has been the Blues’ highest goal scorer in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons.

Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze: The England international will be a trouble to Chelsea’s defence due to his pace and dribbling skills.

Jean-Philippe Mateta: The striker will be important for the Eagles as they will build the attack around him.