Chelsea – Crystal Palace

Chelsea will be looking to get their Premier League campaign off to a winning start when they host London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday. Last season ended on a massive high for Chelsea as they won the Champions League, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final in Porto, their second European crown. They haven’t had the greatest of pre-seasons, however, with so many players at the European Championships including five in the final – meaning they played just four friendlies prior to their Super Cup clash with Villarreal.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will be pushing for a better finish having ended the Roy Hodgson era in 14th, with 18 defeats from their 38 matches in the Premier League last season. Palace have played five times in pre-season, winning four and drawing one, showing positive signs going into the new campaign.

Although Palace ended the campaign on a low, Christian Benteke was one of the few players who could hold their heads up high, finding the net in each of his final four appearances of the season. Chelsea have won 16 of their past 20 Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, including each of the last seven. Our prediction is for their victory.