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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace predicted line-ups: Blues to unveil host of new signings against Community Shield champions
Chelsea start their 2025/26 Premier League campaign at home to in-form London rivals Crystal Palace this weekend. It has been a very busy summer for Chelsea both in terms of incomings and outgoings. The Blues were crowned Club World Cup winners in JulyGetty Enzo Maresca‘s side have significantly strengthened in numerous areas of the pitch, but their squad is set to be seriously tested. The Blues only won the Club World Cup a month ago, meaning their players have had just over two weeks holiday before being back in training. They won both their pre-season fixtures, and confidence is high around Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, the story at Palace has been a summer of little action, with the main focus keeping Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze, which they’ve managed so far. But in terms of arrivals, Oliver Glasner has been left frustrated. However, his FA Cup winning side are still in excellent form as they showed with victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield last weekend. How will Chelsea line-up against Palace? Despite all of the new signings, the Blues have not picked up a new goalkeeper despite an attempt to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan. Robert Sanchez came in for a lot of criticism last season, but he was brilliant in the 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, meaning he’ll start in goal. At right-back, there is a decision to make between Reece James and Malo Gusto. James played a few games in midfield near the end of the campaign, but that would likely mean dropping Enzo Fernandez. As a result, it should be James at right-back here. Levi Colwill’s injury is a major problem for ChelseaGetty Levi Colwill’s season is all but over already after he suffered an ACL injury, while Wesley Fofana has had a lot of injury problems of his own. Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi are free to leave the club, meaning Maresca is almost certainly going to play Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo together. Marc Cucurella is the clear choice at left-back but he will now have competition from Jorrel Hato. Moises Caicedo has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the country, with his on and off-ball work excellent. Fernandez has also shown remarkable signs of improvement, so he should get the nod to partner the Ecuadorian. After a difficult start to life, Caicedo has lived up to his price tagGetty Cole Palmer’s position as the number ten is guaranteed. The England international scored twice and set up the other as the Blues shocked everyone by dismantling PSG. But on the wings, there are some dilemmas. New Brazilian signing Estevao has looked good in pre-season and impressed in the Club World Cup for his old team Palmeiras, so he’ll be battling with Pedro Neto for a spot on the right. On the other side, Jamie Gittens looks to be the clear favourite to start. Two players who are likely to play no part are Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. Neither man was involved in either of the Blues’ pre-season games and both are expected to leave this summer. That means it is a straight shootout between Joao Pedro and Liam Delap for the number nine role, and given Pedro’s displays since joining the Blues have been sensational, so he’ll most likely start up front. Expect to see Gittens and Pedro in the team Palace predicted XI vs Chelsea Glasner has a lot less decisions to make, given he’s only seen two players join the club this summer. Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa are both most definitely squad players as well. That means Wembley hero Dean Henderson will be in goal. During the FA Cup final he denied Omar Marmoush from the spot before saving two penalties during the shootout win over Liverpool. The back three of Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards and Guehi picks itself. The only slight concern will be over Guehi after he limped off before penalties on Sunday with what appeared to be cramp. There is a lot of transfer speculation around him as well, but for now, he’s still at Selhurst Park. Guehi lifted the Community Shield at the weekend, and Palace will hope he’s fitGetty The wing-backs of Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell have been excellent under Glasner. In midfield, Daichi Kamada is a doubt after being substituted in the first half against Liverpool. That would see Will Hughes partner Adam Wharton in the middle of the park. Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line after the Frenchman opened his account for the campaign from the penalty spot at Wembley. Eze has been linked with a move to Arsenal all summer, but Palace are yet to receive an offer for him. As a result, he will be on the left and Ismaila Sarr will be on the right. Sarr was one of the signings of the season last year and is playing the best football of his career in south London after showing flashes at Watford and Marseille. Palace’s starting XI isn’t hard to predict
Chelsea start their 2025/26 Premier League campaign at home to in-form London rivals Crystal Palace this weekend.
It has been a very busy summer for Chelsea both in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Enzo Maresca‘s side have significantly strengthened in numerous areas of the pitch, but their squad is set to be seriously tested.
The Blues only won the Club World Cup a month ago, meaning their players have had just over two weeks holiday before being back in training.
They won both their pre-season fixtures, and confidence is high around Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, the story at Palace has been a summer of little action, with the main focus keeping Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze, which they’ve managed so far.
But in terms of arrivals, Oliver Glasner has been left frustrated.
However, his FA Cup winning side are still in excellent form as they showed with victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield last weekend.
How will Chelsea line-up against Palace?
Despite all of the new signings, the Blues have not picked up a new goalkeeper despite an attempt to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan.
Robert Sanchez came in for a lot of criticism last season, but he was brilliant in the 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, meaning he’ll start in goal.
At right-back, there is a decision to make between Reece James and Malo Gusto.
James played a few games in midfield near the end of the campaign, but that would likely mean dropping Enzo Fernandez.
As a result, it should be James at right-back here.
Levi Colwill’s season is all but over already after he suffered an ACL injury, while Wesley Fofana has had a lot of injury problems of his own.
Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi are free to leave the club, meaning Maresca is almost certainly going to play Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo together.
Marc Cucurella is the clear choice at left-back but he will now have competition from Jorrel Hato.
Moises Caicedo has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the country, with his on and off-ball work excellent.
Fernandez has also shown remarkable signs of improvement, so he should get the nod to partner the Ecuadorian.
Cole Palmer’s position as the number ten is guaranteed.
The England international scored twice and set up the other as the Blues shocked everyone by dismantling PSG.
But on the wings, there are some dilemmas.
New Brazilian signing Estevao has looked good in pre-season and impressed in the Club World Cup for his old team Palmeiras, so he’ll be battling with Pedro Neto for a spot on the right.
On the other side, Jamie Gittens looks to be the clear favourite to start.
Two players who are likely to play no part are Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.
Neither man was involved in either of the Blues’ pre-season games and both are expected to leave this summer.
That means it is a straight shootout between Joao Pedro and Liam Delap for the number nine role, and given Pedro’s displays since joining the Blues have been sensational, so he’ll most likely start up front.
Palace predicted XI vs Chelsea
Glasner has a lot less decisions to make, given he’s only seen two players join the club this summer.
Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa are both most definitely squad players as well.
That means Wembley hero Dean Henderson will be in goal.
During the FA Cup final he denied Omar Marmoush from the spot before saving two penalties during the shootout win over Liverpool.
The back three of Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards and Guehi picks itself.
The only slight concern will be over Guehi after he limped off before penalties on Sunday with what appeared to be cramp.
There is a lot of transfer speculation around him as well, but for now, he’s still at Selhurst Park.
The wing-backs of Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell have been excellent under Glasner.
In midfield, Daichi Kamada is a doubt after being substituted in the first half against Liverpool.
That would see Will Hughes partner Adam Wharton in the middle of the park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line after the Frenchman opened his account for the campaign from the penalty spot at Wembley.
Eze has been linked with a move to Arsenal all summer, but Palace are yet to receive an offer for him.
As a result, he will be on the left and Ismaila Sarr will be on the right.
Sarr was one of the signings of the season last year and is playing the best football of his career in south London after showing flashes at Watford and Marseille.
