Chelsea will host Manchester City on the opening weekend of the Premier League season at Stamford Bridge, on Sunday 18th August.
Premier League champions Manchester City have seen off the challenge of Arsenal over the last two seasons and go into this season looking to make it five Premier League titles in a row.
City have only signed one player this summer in Savinho, who spent last season on loan at City's partner club Girona.
City have also seen one major departure with Argentinian Julian Alvarez leaving the club to join Atletico Madrid for a fee of £75 million.
Chelsea will once again after start the season from scratch after parting ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino. It looked like Chelsea were trending in the right direction at the end of last season, losing one of their last 15 Premier League games.
But as the season concluded Chelsea and Pochettino agreed to part ways, despite a sixth placed finish with European football secured.
Chelsea hired Italian Head Coach Enzo Maresca after he achieved promotion to the Premier League with Leicester City.
As always under Todd Boehly, Chelsea have been active in the transfer market with almost £200m spent this summer and more deals in the works.
Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Filip Jorgensen have all joined the Blues for big fees this summer.
Team News
The home side will be without captain Reece James, who is nursing a hamstring injury, whilst also serving a suspension after his red card against Brighton near the end of last season.
Striker Nicolas Jackson could feature after returning for Chelsea in their friendly against Inter from the bench. Jackson missed the Blues USA trip through an ankle injury.
New signings Neto, Dewsbury-Hall and Tosin Adarabioyo will all be hoping to feature for Chelsea, whilst midfielder Conor Gallagher is awaiting a move to Atletico Madrid to finalise.
- Manchester City
Jack Grealish is a doubt for City after picking up a knock in training, but otherwise Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from.
New signing Savinho will be looking to make his Premier League debut whilst EURO finalists Rodri, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden should return to the City side after extended breaks following the conclusion of the EURO's.
Likely Line-ups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Doku.
Players to Watch
Chelsea - Cole Palmer
The 22-year-old was Chelsea's main man last season following his transfer from Sunday's opponents Manchester City.
Palmer scored 22 goals and assisted a further 11 for Chelsea last season and was rewarded with a new contract until 2033, this past week.
The former City playmaker also shone at the EURO's despite the little time he had on the pitch, contributing a goal and an assist for England.
Manchester City - Rodri
City's squad is filled with talented players in every position but maybe their most important player is midfielder Rodri.
The Spanish midfielder contributed nine goals and 13 assists for City last season before helping Spain become European Champions once again, firmly putting himself in the conversation for the Balon D'Or.
Rodri is the current second favourite with the bookies to win the prestigious award after Real Madrid's Vinicius Jnr.
Match Details
What time is kick-off?
The action will get underway on Sunday 18th August at 4:30 PM UK time (11:30 AM ET).
Where can I watch?
Sky Sports' Main Event and Premier League channels will be showing the game in the UK, whilst NBC will be showing the match in the US.
Who is the referee?
Anthony Taylor will be the man in the middle for the match. Taylor took charge of the 4-4 between the two sides last season where he brandished eight yellow cards.
