Chelsea vs Palace Set for Fierce Premier League Opener
English Premier League - Chelsea VS Crystal Palace
Match Time:17-08-2025 21:00 Sunday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Chelsea will start their Premier League season with a London derby against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Last season, both teams secured three trophies in total, and Crystal Palace has already claimed the Community Shield this year.
Team Analysis:
Chelsea return to Premier League action after winning the Conference League and Club World Cup, aiming to improve on last season's fourth-place finish. Despite their cup success and heavy investment, questions remain about manager Enzo Maresca, especially after the team’s mid-season collapse last year. A short preseason and modest expectations surround the squad, though they ended preparation with wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. Chelsea face four London rivals early on, starting with Crystal Palace, a team they have historically dominated.
Palace, fresh off a Community Shield win over Liverpool, begin a challenging August schedule. After failing to overturn their demotion from the Conference League, they now face European playoffs alongside tough league fixtures. Though key players' futures are uncertain, the team is on a nine-game unbeaten run and hopes for a stronger start than last season.
Player Situation:
Chelsea face defensive challenges with Levi Colwill out long-term due to an ACL injury, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain unavailable. Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to pair with Trevoh Chalobah in central defense. With Nicolas Jackson suspended, Joao Pedro is likely to start up front, and Romeo Lavia is also out, meaning the lineup used against AC Milan may remain unchanged.
For Crystal Palace, Adam Wharton and Marc Guehi have returned, though Guehi's future is uncertain amid transfer interest. Daichi Kamada is injured, so Will Hughes or Jefferson Lerma may start in midfield. Eddie Nketiah is sidelined with a muscle injury, joining Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad on the injury list.
Result Prediction:
Chelsea face a potentially difficult opener against Palace, who impressed recently against Liverpool. If key players like Guehi and Eze feature, Palace’s chances of extending their nine-game unbeaten run improve.
Predicted Result: Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace.
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