It’s the start of the Premier League season, and Chelsea kick things off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against Crystal Palace in a London derby of champions – FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup & Community Shield Champions.

This meeting comes after Palace’s penalty shootout triumph in the Community Shield over Liverpool, with confidence high in Oliver Glasner’s camp. Chelsea, meanwhile, enters on the back of a flawless run of wins in pre-season friendlies.

🟦 Chelsea have won their last five matches (all competitions)

🦅 Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last nine competitive games

 

♻️ Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Key Facts 📊:

📊 Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League meetings with Palace.

📊 Chelsea have won all four previous opening-day matches against London clubs.

📊 Palace last beat Chelsea in the league in October 2017.

📊 Palace boast a better overall form than Chelsea in competitive games with 4 wins (1 PKs) and 2 draws in their last 6 games.

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:

🔵Chelsea:

Fresh from Club World Cup success after their UEFA Conference League success last season, Chelsea’s domestic ambitions remain high. With heavy investment again this summer, Maresca will look to turn cup success into a sustained title challenge.

Injuries at the back mean Adarabioyo and Chalobah are expected to form the central defensive pairing. Jackson’s suspension opens the door for Joao Pedro to lead the line, supported by the creativity of Palmer and Neto with Estevao ever ready.

🔴Crystal Palace:

The Eagles arrive with momentum after lifting the Community Shield. Glasner’s men are disciplined and tactically sound, with Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Sarr, and Mateta at the heart of their attack.

While the futures of Eze and Guehi remain uncertain, Palace’s midfield remains strong. Hughes or Lerma could partner with Wharton, depending on Kamada’s fitness. Without Nketiah, Jean-Philippe Mateta will likely carry the goalscoring burden.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):

Sanchez (GK); James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro.

Crystal Palace (3-4-3):

Henderson (GK); Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:

🔹 Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s creative spark, key to breaking Palace’s shape.

🔹 Eberechi Eze – Palace’s main source of inspiration, can unlock tight defences.

🔹 Enzo Fernández – Orchestrator in the middle, dictating tempo for Chelsea.

🔹 Marc Guehi – Defensive leader tasked with containing Chelsea’s attack.

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:

💵 Chelsea/Home to win = 1.68 ✅

💵 Palmer to score = 2.33 ✅

💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.65 ✅

💵 Crystal Palace/Away to win = 5.22 ✅

This isn’t just another opening-day fixture. It’s a clash of contrasting ambitions—Chelsea aiming to push into the title race, and Palace looking to show their Community Shield win was no fluke.

Chelsea’s record against Palace makes them favourites, but Glasner’s side has shown they are no respecters of Goliaths. Stamford Bridge is set for a derby with early-season stakes.

So, who takes the bragging rights in London? Drop your predictions below.

 

🔗 You can follow the Chelsea vs Crystal Palace EPL game here on MSport. 

 

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It’s opening night in the English Premier League, and the defending champions Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield on Friday in a clash that pits title favourites against stubborn underdogs.

For Arne Slot’s men, it’s about starting as they mean to go on. For Andoni Iraola’s side, it’s about proving that last season’s historic run was no fluke.

Liverpool enter as champions for the first time since their 2019-20 triumph, while Bournemouth arrive seeking a first-ever win at Anfield. Something has to give.

 

🟥 Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 17 home Premier League matches.

🍒 Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven opening-day fixtures.

 

♻️ Liverpool vs Bournemouth Key Stats 📊:

📊 Head-to-head at Anfield (Premier League): Liverpool dominant, Bournemouth no wins.

📊 Liverpool's last home defeat in the EPL: September 2024 vs Nottingham Forest.

📊 Bournemouth’s last opening-day defeat: 2017-18 vs West Brom

📊 Liverpool unbeaten in opening-day matches since 2012-13.

📊 Liverpool Form in all comps: (L W W W D) vs Bournemouth Form in all comps: (W W L L D).

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:

🔴Liverpool:

The champions return after Community Shield disappointment against Crystal Palace, albeit at a penalty shootout. Nonetheless, defensive frailties were exposed.

That said, Anfield remains a fortress, and Mohamed Salah’s influence still looms large. Hugo Ekitike made a dream debut with a goal at Wembley and could be key again.

Gravenberch’s absence through suspension will be felt, but Alexis Mac Allister should step in to control the midfield. With Frimpong and Kerkez likely to make competitive debuts, Slot’s new-look XI will aim to blend fresh talent with title-winning experience.

🔵Bournemouth:

The Cherries had a record-breaking 2024-25 but saw their defence dismantled in the summer. Both starting centre-backs for the Cherries, Huijsen and Zabarnyi, in addition to key figures like Kerkez and Kepa, have departed, leaving Iraola with a reshuffled backline.

Pre-season hasn’t inspired confidence either, with only one win in four games, but their historical opening-day resilience offers hope with Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat remaining intact.

Antoine Semenyo is fit and flying after signing a new deal, while ex-Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic gets his Premier League debut. Injury concerns linger over key attackers like Luis Sinisterra and Justin Kluivert.

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):

Alisson (GK); Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1):

Petrovic (GK); Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson.

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:

🔹 Mohamed Salah – Still Liverpool’s talisman, chasing another hot start.

🔹 Hugo Ekitike – New signing looking to cement a place up front (before Isak come).

🔹 Antoine Semenyo – Direct and dangerous, could trouble the Reds’ defence.

🔹 Mac Allister vs Adams – Midfield battle of control vs disruption.

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:

💵 Liverpool/Home to win = 1.45 ✅

💵 Salah to score = 1.77 ✅

💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.38 ✅

💵 Bournemouth/Away to win = 8.67 ✅

This isn’t just another season opener. Liverpool are out to make an early statement in their title defence, while Bournemouth want to break their Anfield voodoo.

The Premier League curtain rises on Merseyside — only one side will walk away with the first bragging rights of 2025-26.

🔗 You can follow the Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen pre-season friendly here on MSport.

 

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