Fresh from winning the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal, Chelsea will begin their new Premier League campaign by hosting Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues scraped a top-four finish last term, before winning the coveted Champions League trophy by beating Manchester City in the final. Now, it’ll be all about returning to the top of English football for Thomas Tuchel, whose side head into the season opener rejuvenated and confident.
The European champions played three pre-season friendlies over the summer—beating Bournemouth and Arsenal but drawing with Tottenham Hotspur.
For Crystal Palace, it’s a start of a new era with Patrick Vieira at the helm. The Eagles finished a disappointing 14th on the table last season and Vieira, who has replaced Roy Hodgson, will aim to get his team challenging for a top-half finish this term.
The south Londoners had a busy pre-season schedule, winning four out of five games, including a 3-1 success over newly-promoted Watford in their final friendly last weekend.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Team News
Chelsea
Hakim Ziyech will definitely miss Chelsea’s opening game of the campaign, having suffered a shoulder injury during the Super Cup game with Villarreal. Jorginho, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Andreas Christensen all came off the bench against Villarreal on Wednesday night, so they all will be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
The Blues announced the big-money signing of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan on Thursday, but we are unlikely to see the striker start against Crystal Palace. He’ll probably be on the bench.
Edouard Mendy will be in goal, despite Kepa coming on as a substitute to help Chelsea win the penalty shootouts against Villarreal in the Super Cup at Belfast.
Trevoh Chalobah impressed in Chelsea’s three-man backline in the Super Cup and should retain his place alongside Antonio Rudiger. Andreas Christensen could come in for Kurt Zouma at the back. Marcos Alonso played well in the Super Cup that could see him keep his place at left wing-back with Cesar Azpilicueta getting a start at right wing-back.
Thomas Tuchel could go with the pair of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in central midfield. With Ziyech injured, Christian Pulisic could get the nod in attack. Kai Havertz, a versatile operator, will be tasked with linking the play between midfield and attack.
With Romelu Lukaku likely to be fit to start from the bench, Timo Werner should lead Chelsea’s attack at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace
The likes of Eberechi Eze, Nathan Ferguson, and summer signing Michael Olise will not be available to Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira this weekend, with all three young guns nursing injuries. Conor Gallagher is on loan from Chelsea, so he’ll not be eligible to face his parent club.
Vicente Guaita should start between the sticks at Stamford Bridge, with a flat back four of Joel Ward, Cheikhou Kouyate, Marc Guehi, and Tyrick Mitchell ahead of him.
Jairo Riedewald and James McArthur are two very hardworking players and could start as a pair in the middle of the park. Wilfried Zaha, Palace’s talisman, is a certain starter on the left flank with Jeffrey Schlupp adding pace and energy on the right.
Up front, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew could feature in a two-pronged attack against Chelsea.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (3-4-2-1)
Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso; N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic; Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic; Timo Werner.
Crystal Palace (4-4-2)
Vicente Guaita; Joel Ward, Cheikhou Kouyate, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Jeffrey Schlupp, Jairo Riedewald, James McArthur, Wilfried Zaha; Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Key Players
Chelsea—Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic found opportunities tough to come by under Tuchel last season, but when he got them, the American often made it count—just like he did by scoring a brace against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last season. With his pace, movement, and crossing ability, the 22-year-old could give the Palace defenders a tough time on Saturday.
Crystal Palace—Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha is one of the trickiest players to come up against in the Premier League. He has been carrying the Eagles on his shoulders for the last few years. Fresh for the new campaign, the Ivorian could prove tough to deal with for the Chelsea defenders.