LONDON rivals Chelsea and Crystal Palace kick-start their 2025/26 Premier League campaigns at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace preview
There’s silverware everywhere you look in this one, as London rivals Chelsea and Crystal Palace get the ball rolling on their Premier League campaigns at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea enjoyed a superb end to last season, sealing Champions League qualification on the final day, lifting the UEFA Conference League, and capping it all off with Club World Cup glory after an impressive win over Paris Saint-Germain.
And the summer transfer window has only added to the buzz around Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have splashed over £250million on eight new signings, including Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap – not to mention the headline arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Estevao.
Now, the pressure is on manager Enzo Maresca to prove that investment was justified – with Chelsea aiming to re-establish themselves as a dominant European force and genuine Premier League title contenders.
Chelsea head into this showdown as clear favourites – and it’s easy to see why.
The Blues are riding a seven-game winning streak, having scored 20 goals and kept four clean sheets during that run.
It’s also a fixture they’ve dominated in recent years, winning eight of their last nine home games against Crystal Palace, with an aggregate score of 20-4 at Stamford Bridge.
As for Crystal Palace… it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.
The Eagles secured Europa League qualification by lifting the FA Cup last season, only to be demoted to the Conference League due to multi-club ownership rule breaches.
That blow appears to have had a knock-on effect in the transfer market, with Oliver Glasner’s side spending just £2million on two new arrivals Borna Sosa and Walter Benítez.
On the plus side, Palace have so far managed to retain key stars including Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi with less than three weeks remaining in the summer window.
And just as optimism seemed to fade, it surged again last weekend as they defied the odds to beat Liverpool in a penalty shootout and lift the Community Shield at Wembley.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace preview betting odds
Chelsea 4/7 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
Draw 3/1 with Midnite – CLAIM HERE
Crystal Palace 4/1 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace preview betting tips and predictions
Joao pow
It’s hard to look past Joao Pedro to get on the scoresheet in Sunday’s clash – and 13/10 with William Hill looks a tempting price.
The 23-year-old signing from Brighton has made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge, bagging five goals in five appearances for Chelsea – including one in the Club World Cup final.
He’s full of confidence, already has a goal against Palace to his name, and faces a defence that hasn’t kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge since 1995 – a run stretching 15 games.
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First goalscorer and correct score predictions
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
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Correct score: 3-1 at 10/1 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE
Cole assist
Cole Palmer has racked up a staggering 43 goals and 29 assists in just 97 appearances for Chelsea since his move from Manchester City.
The influential 23-year-old playmaker contributed 14 assists last season – and could easily eclipse that tally this time around given the pace, power and precision now surrounding him in Chelsea’s revamped attack.
Palmer was sharp in pre-season, registering two goals and two assists in the Club World Cup, and he has a habit of delivering against Crystal Palace with one goal and three assists in just four meetings.
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