World champions Chelsea kick-off their 2025–26 Premier League season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, as they take on Crystal Palace.
The Blues enter the new campaign in high spirits with their exploits in the United States earlier this summer highlighting their impressive evolution under Enzo Maresca. Club World Cup winners for a second time, Chelsea are now aiming to compete for the league title after squeezing into fourth spot on the final day of 2024–25.
Their travails across the Atlantic means they’ve had a reduced preseason, with Maresca’s side overcoming Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in two friendlies to prepare them for the start of 2025–26.
Crystal Palace’s campaign got off to the perfect start at Wembley, as they twice came from behind against Liverpool and won the Community Shield on penalties. Unlike Chelsea, the Eagles have been distinctly quiet in the transfer market after claiming their first piece of major silverware, but their squad could look considerably different by the time the window slams shut.
Much will depend on who ends up leaving the club.
Here is’s guide to Sunday’s Premier League encounter.
