Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Crystal Palacepublished at 11:06 BST 17 August
11:06 BST 17 August
There is real excitement about Chelsea at the moment.
They have just won the Club World Cup but the Premier League is the one they want and I bet one or two of their fans are thinking they have got half a chance this season.
This game might be a reminder of how hard that is going to be, because Crystal Palace are such a well-balanced and dangerous side under Oliver Glasner.
I still think Chelsea will win though. They have a few options up front now and some versatile attackers too, so they can try to break Palace down in different ways.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:57 BST 16 August
13:57 BST 16 August
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea and Crystal Palace have both won two trophies each since the end of the last domestic season and will hope to carry that momentum into the first London derby of the new Premier League campaign.
Palace claimed the first major honour in their history by winning the FA Cup final and also beat Liverpool on penalties last weekend to lift the Community Shield.
Chelsea, meanwhile, claimed silverware in the Conference League and the newly expanded Club World Cup.
But their summers have otherwise followed very different paths.
Chelsea's relentless turnover of players has continued apace, with over £230m spent on incomings and more than £190m recouped in sales.
New signings, such as Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Jorrel Hato and Estevao Willian, could make their league debuts for the Blues on Sunday, as could the in-form Joao Pedro. The Brazilian scored three goals in two starts at the Club World Cup and also netted in pre-season wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
Palace, meanwhile, have spent just £2m - the second lowest figure in the top flight prior to the weekend - adding some squad depth with the recruitment of full-back Borna Sosa and goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
Despite unprecedented success on the field, it has been a testing period for chairman Steve Parish. On Monday, Palace lost their appeal against demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport backing Uefa's decision that they were in breach of multi-club ownership rules.
The club are also braced for bids for Marc Guehi, who has entered the final year of his contract, and Eberechi Eze, who has been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham.
Losing Eze would be a real blow, particularly this late in the transfer window.
He has improved his total number of goals and assists in each of the past three seasons and either scored or created 26 goals in all competitions last term, the highest figure of his career.
Two Palace players to watch out for this season published at 12:04 BST 16 August
12:04 BST 16 August
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked two Crystal Palace players who will be worth watching out for in the next few months.
Romain Esse
Age: 20 Position: Midfield Country: England
Mark Scott: There was a buzz when Palace made Romain Esse their latest youthful acquisition from the Championship in January. That excitement grew after he bagged his first Premier League goal 25 seconds into his debut, but game time proved limited after that.
It is tough to dislodge Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr in attack, but Esse showed while he was at Millwall how good he can be at both taking on opponents and crossing, as well as cutting in and getting a shot away.
Should Palace get through their Conference League play-off, the extra games in Europe will afford him more opportunities to display those attributes.
Jonathan Pearce: Jason Devenny caught my eye the minute I saw him in Palace's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa last November. It was only his second game. He scored, but more than that he wanted the ball. He was hungry to make an impact.
He certainly did that with the winning Community Shield shootout penalty against Liverpool last Sunday. He'll never forget that and I've a feeling he'll have a big season.
Glasner on injuries, appeal 'disappointment' and his 'biggest achievement'published at 16:52 BST 15 August
16:52 BST 15 August
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner confirmed that Daichi Kamada will be out for match on Sunday and it will be "quite tight" but he could be available for Thursday's Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad.
On team news, he added: "No player is returning from injury. Not Eddie Nketiah, not Matheus Franca because they can't train with the team at the momen. Not Caleb Kporha. Of course, Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are out for the next couple of months. The group of players we have available is not the biggest one [in terms of numbers], but we showed at Wembley that the next one comes in and the team is able to win games."
On the futures of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze: "Marc trains the entire week with us, every single session - the same with Eze if that was your next question - so they prepare in the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday."
Glasner said everybody connected to the club was "disappointed" with the outcome of their Cas appeal, but that "by Monday evening the disappointment was gone" as it "will still be first time Crystal Palace play European football and that is big goal of us to qualify for group stage".
On the details of the ruling around John Textor's ownership: "I don't care about it. I can't influence. Just have to accept it. It is the past. We can't change it any more. Cas' verdict is final verdict so we have to move on from it. If you are always mourning about things it just doesn't help."
The Palace boss said he does not "want to talk about what we want to achieve in May" but that "we want to progress. We want to play better. We want to improve. Every single player, we want to improve as a team. We want to grow as a club, as Crystal Palace."
On change at the club since FA Cup and Community Shield wins: "This is the biggest achievement for me - to create this belief in the team, in the players, that we're able to win games. It doesn't mean that we do it every single weekend. But just that you have this trust and this confidence in the team, in the players, in the squad, in the club."
On facing Chelsea: "I would say it's one of the best you can have. Our opener was Liverpool. Facing the champions. We want to compete with the best. We want to see if we are competitive or not. Then you get the answer. In the Community Shield, we got the answer - yes, we are. Now, one week later, we are facing the club world champions."
A golden era for Crystal Palace?published at 10:53 BST 15 August
10:53 BST 15 August
We have looked into the age profile of Crystal Palace's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.
The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.
With 15 of their current squad sitting in the peak category last season, plus the addition of Borna Sosa for the upcoming campaign, this arguably ought to be a golden period of success for Palace.
Perhaps it should not be a surprise then that they won their first piece of major silverware in May when they beat Manchester City to secure the FA Cup, and have quickly followed that up with Community Shield success against Liverpool last Sunday.
The current crop under Oliver Glasner's tutelage are proving their worth, but the key question now is whether they can keep hold of them?
The strengths of 'Uncle Marc'published at 10:24 BST 15 August
10:24 BST 15 August
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Although he has primarily been deployed as a left centre-back in a back three for Crystal Palace by head coach Oliver Glasner, Marc Guei often finds himself in the middle of the defence, particularly on the ball.
Glasner has cleverly set up his centre-backs in a way that allows them to get on the ball facing forwards under less pressure, which has given Guehi the time and space to showcase his on-ball quality.
Over the past few years, Guehi has developed over as a strong last-ditch defender, playing for a side that does not dominate the ball.
His box-defending and assured nature makes him a perfect player to help a side defend a lead.
Playfully referred to as 'Uncle Marc' by his England team-mate, Guehi is a respected leader and Palace captain.
His tactical fit makes it no wonder Liverpool are keen to sign him - and at a price that may be considered a genuine bargain in a bloated market.
'Must be such a difficult situation' for Guehi - Murraypublished at 08:11 BST 15 August
08:11 BST 15 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Crystal Palace striker Glen Murray understands why Marc Guehi is such an attractive prospect to external clubs and that the defender has a tough decision to make.
The England international has one year remaining on his contract and is a target for reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, but it is not clear whether he will leave Selhurst Park before the transfer window closes.
"I think he is absolutely exceptional in everything he does, whether in possession or out," said Murray on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "He is a real leader.
"He is calm and he takes that on to the pitch. Everything about him is extremely impressive and I am sure there are a lot of clubs that would love his signature.
"But it is Crystal Palace's first European adventure and I am sure he wants to be part of that. You can see that he is a real integral part of the team, but more than that, I feel like this Palace unit are really good friends off the field.
"You can feel that when they are winning trophies.
"It must be such a difficult situation for him because there could be the option for him to go on and win major trophies with big clubs, or see something through that he started with his team-mates."
Over the past few seasons, Guehi has also established himself as a key member of the England defence and Murray feels the financial pressure to sell will become too much for Palace.
"As a former Palace player, I don't want him to leave but I think he will," Murray added. "Steve Parish has been backed into a corner and he can't let him leave for free.
"Whether he would be willing to pen another year to ease that pressure and then get an agreement that he will be leaving next summer regardless, I am not sure.
"That is something I would be trying to get him to do if I was chairman of the football club."
Gossip: Tottenham hopeful for Eze dealpublished at 07:35 BST 15 August
07:35 BST 15 August
Tottenham are confident they have put together a deal for Eberechi Eze, 27, that will satisfy Crystal Palace, who value their England midfielder at £68m. (Teamtalk), external
Where will Palace finish this season? published at 12:01 BST 14 August
12:01 BST 14 August
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:
9) Crystal Palace
Last season: 12th
Palace's fortunes, and consequently their league placing, will inevitably be shaped by the fortunes of two of their most influential figures.
And that means whether they keep hold of prized assets Marc Guehi - their captain - and FA Cup final match-winner Eberechi Eze.
There is serious doubt surrounding Guehi's future - with Liverpool trying to close a deal - while Eze has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Irrespective of their final destinations, this is a Palace side with quality running right through it under the leadership of a top-class manager in Oliver Glasner - although he has sounded frustrated that more has not been done to build on last season's historic success.
They have already shown what they are about with the Community Shield win over Liverpool, with keeper Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton (surely a contender for an England start) influential - plus an attack which has Jean-Philippe Mateta as its focal point with Eze and Ismaila Sarr serious threats.
I can still see Palace having a very good season - despite the anger around their fall-out with Uefa over their exclusion from the Europa League - but they will have an even better one if they keep at least one of Guehi and Eze, as well as making a dent in the market themselves.
What do you want to know about Palace?published at 16:49 BST 13 August
16:49 BST 13 August
Have you got a question about Crystal Palace or is there a topic you want more information on? Have you spotted an Eagles theme or trend that needs further investigation?
Well, this season we're making it easier for you to get in touch and ask - and we will do our best to use our expertise here at BBC Sport to give you direct answers.
Our team can call upon a network of contacts - including our reporters, pundits and other experts - to find out everything you need to know.
No question is too big or too small, so fire away using the link below and we will answer the best of them throughout the campaign.
'It's Liverpool or nothing for Guehi'published at 08:52 BST 13 August
08:52 BST 13 August
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Ultimately for Marc Guehi, it is Liverpool or nothing this summer.
That is not an ideal scenario for Crystal Palace, who were hoping for an auction. But the alternative is losing him for nothing next summer - when he may end up joining the Reds on a free transfer anyway.
While Palace ideally want £40m for Guehi, it may be that they get a deal worth about £35m plus add-ons.
The south London club have reluctantly engaged in talks to sell their captain and if all goes to plan, an agreement should follow in the coming days.
Palace chairman Steve Parish will sanction Guehi's sale through gritted teeth.
He would like the defender to stay and sign a new deal, but the likelihood of that is virtually non-existent.
Selling to Liverpool - or losing Guehi for nothing - now appear to be Palace's only options.
'The fear is the journey ends here'published at 15:45 BST 12 August
15:45 BST 12 August
Alex Pewter Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
When asked to set out the hopes and fears for Crystal Palace's 2025-26 season, it was a challenge. Hope feels like a sentiment related to a Palace of old, when goals were intangible rather than achievable.
It has been a frustrating summer away from actual football. One dominated by Uefa discourse and a failed Cas appeal demoting the team to the Conference League, but bookended by victorious trips to Wembley that washed all of that away.
Crystal Palace lifting both the FA Cup and the Community Shield in the space of 86 days is a scenario that was previously confined to idle daydreams or played out on Football Manager, rather than reality.
The same XI entered the pitch on Sunday against Liverpool that started against Manchester City in May. Two giants of the modern game as opposition - the former the best side in England, if not the world.
The two men who wore the captain's armband across the 90 minutes were names many expected to have left already. Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze have generated many column inches and much transfer speculation, with little outcome or substance to date.
The fear is the journey ends here. This isn't a tale of a squad that is on the verge of being special - it already is.
The failure would be not building on what Oliver Glasner has already constructed. The reinforcements needed are modest, at least without any key departures, and with the whole focus of the club back on footballing matters, this must be a priority.
As to the Conference League, that demotion may feel unjust or raise questions about Uefa's priorities. However, the best response for Palace is to be fuelled by that and go and win the whole thing.
'Sporting merit is rendered meaningless'published at 15:44 BST 12 August
15:44 BST 12 August
Image source, Getty Images
A reminder that earlier on Tuesday, Crystal Palace issued a strongly-worded statement on their demotion from the Europa League and failed appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"The decision by Uefa and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless," Palace said.
"It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power.
"This growing and unhealthy influence has shattered the hopes and dreams of Crystal Palace supporters, and does not bode well for aspirational teams all over Europe competing to progress when rules and sanctions are unevenly applied in the most flagrant way.
"Multi-club structures hide behind the charade of a 'blind trust' while clubs such as ours, who have no connection to another club whatsoever, are prevented from playing in the same competition.
"To compound the injustice, clubs that appear to have huge informal arrangements with each other are also allowed to participate and even possibly play against each other."
