Brentford

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to Sky Sports: "Very excited, I think pre-season has ran its natural course. I felt for a week or so the players have been itching to start the season and we're excited about the start today.

"There's always opportunities for players, there will be players chomping at the bit after injury issues.

"Day to day it is a positive environment - it is what we encourage and it's how I am wired. I think it is important you control what you can control. It has been business as usual."

Ben Mee
Former Brentford defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Fair play to the two Palace guys [Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi] today going out there, showing respect to the team, the manager and the fans by playing.

Nothing is done until it's done. You have to honour your contract and be there and play with your teammates that you have been with for a long time.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are the only Premier League club to start the 2025-26 season without a matchday, but why?

There is an ongoing competitive process for the front-of-shirt sponsor with Chelsea believed to have had offers, but focused on aligning with the right long-term partner.

The club is aiming to strike a deal worth £60m-£65m per season following qualification for the Champions League and winning the revamped Fifa Club World Cup.

New Saudi Arabia airline Riyadh Air have been strongly linked to a potential sponsorship.

Enzo Maresca's side had no front-of-shirt sponsor last season until the end of April when they were sponsored by Dubai-based property company Damac.

They also started the 2023-24 campaign without a shirt sponsor until agreeing a £40m-plus deal with US sports technology firm Infinite Athlete.

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Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says he currently feels "concerned" about the season-opener due to feeling "short of options to find solutions that the game might need", but he isn't blaming the club and rather believes it is down to the "very expensive" transfer market.

Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, will have European football to contend with alongside the top-flight.

"I've already told the players that this is what we have for now, so we need to get together to be stronger. We have to make an extra effort, so even if you're not playing in your position, you're still helping the team. Those that are here are focused and ready to compete," added Nuno.

In the Bees' last fixture at the City Ground, Thomas Frank led them to a 2-0 victory, however it will be Keith Andrews in the hot seat this afternoon.

Although Brentford have lost Frank, Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard, Espirito Santo believes Brentford will pose a "tough test" after changing their manager and their vision this summer.

Chris Coles
BBC 5 Sports Extra Commentator at the City Ground

Brentford have been raided over the summer. It has been well documented that they lost their manager, keeper, captain and top scorer and while one of their other top scorers Yoane Wissa is not in the squad today as talks continue over his future.

Brentford

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford's new boss, Keith Andrews, is no stranger to Premier League football, having joined the Bees last summer to work under Thomas Frank as the club's set-piece coach.

During his playing days, Andrews played in the top-flight for Wolves, Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion.

However, his first pre-season in charge has not been the smoothest. Andrews admitted that pre-season "has been a very disrupted," after losing key players, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard.

Brentford fans will also be worried about Yoane Wissa's future after being linked to Newcastle.

Andrews confirmed Wissa would not be available in today's fixture, but said "I am very understanding of his situation".

On a more positive note, the Bees have signed Premier League and Champions League-winning captain Jordan Henderson.

"Henderson has been amazing with the influence," added Andrews.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Eberechi Eze is good enough to be challenging for a Premier League title. If that opportunity comes then great but if it doesn't then it is what it is.

Going to Spurs to play in the Champions League, to be able to progress up the league that would also be good in itself. I think at the age of 27, whoever gets him they will be getting his peak years. It would be a great signing for Spurs.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Eberechi Eze went out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge before the match.

The 27-year-old is starting today after a period of will he or won't he, and amid ongoing talks with Tottenham.

One thing is for sure; Palace will be better with him than without him.

Steve Sidwell
Former Chelsea and Brighton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have been stalwarts of this club. They have been ever-present in every achievement. I think Guehi will leave but if they lose Eze that would be a huge blow.

In the past Wilfried Zaha has gone, Michael Olise has gone and they have coped but there are not many Zahas, Olises and Ezes in this world. If you keep losing these players to bigger and better teams it is going to have an effect.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to Sky Sports: "It is a special group and a great group.

"The players did well the whole week - very focused and very ambitious."

On Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze: "Marc [Guehi] and Eze trained well the whole week. Of course there is no reason not to start them.

"Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers."

It's getting busy at both Stamford Bridge and the City Ground. Not long to go now.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, We Are The Shed

Chelsea have made the most of becoming world champions in the summer.

They have had an event at Stamford Bridge and then paraded the trophy twice more at special celebrations during their only two pre-season matches last week.

It’s now the turn of the fans to celebrate with a display organised by We Are the Shed which will include golden confetti.

Others may have derided the achievement but Chelsea believe winning the Club World Cup was a huge moment.

Erling Haaland scores twice while new signing Tijjani Reijnders also impresses as Manchester City comfortably beat Wolves 4-0 in the Premier League at Molineux.

Two goals from Richarlison, including a stunning scissor kick, help Thomas Frank win his first Premier League match in charge of Tottenham as the home side see off Burnley 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Sunderland make a winning start to their first Premier League campaign since 2016-17, with a deserved 3-0 win over West Ham United at the Stadium of Light.

Rodrigo Muniz comes off the bench to score a 96th-minute equaliser as Fulham salvage a 1-1 draw against Brighton in the Premier League at the AMEX Stadium.

Newcastle fail to score without wantaway striker Alexander Isak as they are held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Aston Villa in the Premier League at Villa Park.