Chelsea v Crystal Palace – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Blues lifted the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup trophies whilst Palace won the FA Cup and Community Shield.

Match: Chelsea v Crystal Palace
When: Sunday, 17 August 2025, 15:00

Chelsea Form

Chelsea finished fourth last season and won the UEFA Conference League. A 4-1 win over Real Betis in the final set them up well for the FIFA Club World Cup. A 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC preceded a 3-1 loss to Flamengo with ten men.

Chelsea beat Esperance 3-0 and Benfica 4-1 before a 2-1 quarter-final win over Palmeiras. After dispatching Fluminense 2-0 in the semis, a surprise 3-0 win over PSG followed in the final. The Blues were superb throughout as Cole Palmer scored two goals.

Chelsea Team News

Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are injured in defence. Reece James should be fit to start. Jorrel Hato has been signed from Ajax.

Joao Pedro is set to start up front with Nicolas Jackson suspended and transfer listed. Willian Estavao or Jamie Gittens could make their debuts down the wing.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea will come into this contest in high spirits and with lots of confidence.

Nothing less than a win will be expected. The Blues will look to play on the front foot, but will also know the threat posed by Palace on the break.

Crystal Palace Form

Palace ended last season in dream fashion. They lifted the FA Cup after beating Aston Villa 3-0 in the semi-final. A 1-1 draw vs Nottingham Forest and a fine 2-0 win at Tottenham followed.

A 1-0 win over Man City in the FA Cup final saw the club win their first ever trophy. They ended off the league season with a 4-2 win vs Wolves and a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool in the final match. Last weekend, they came from 1-0 and 2-1 down to draw 2-2 vs Liverpool before lifting the Community Shield on penalties.

Crystal Palace Team News

Coach Oliver Glasner is set to start Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze despite their strong links with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham respectively. Defender Chadi Riad is ruled out.

Striker Eddie Nketiah, midfielder Cheick Doucoure and forward Matheus Franca are set to miss out. Daichi Kamada took a knock vs Liverpool and could be absent here.

Crystal Palace Motivation

Palace will come to Stamford Bridge and believe they can get something. Belief is high after lifting the FA Cup.

Oliver Glasner’s side will sit in a back five when defending. Fast transitions and lots of crosses are expected. A draw would be seen as a good result.

Key Stats

Chelsea have won 14 of their last 16 matches

Chelsea have kept 6 clean sheets in their last 9 matches

Crystal Palace have lost 14 of their last 16 matches vs Chelsea (all competitions)

Palace have drawn their last 2 matches vs Chelsea (14 straight losses before that)

Verdict

This will be a tight match. Palace are capable of an upset but Chelsea should have enough to grind out the three points.

Best Bet: Chelsea win at 1.62

Featured Bet: Chelsea win, Over 2.5 goals and Joao Pedro to score anytime at 3.40