Match Overview
Fulham face Chelsea at Craven Cottage in a Premier League derby with local pride and valuable mid-season points on the line. Fulham have shown steady improvement, while Chelsea aim to turn promising moments into consistent results away from home. Recent meetings have been tight, and the reverse fixture ended in a Chelsea win. Expect a focused, tactical contest with both teams aware that small margins could decide it.
- Fixture: Fulham vs Chelsea
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Craven Cottage
- Date: 07-01-2026
- Kickoff: 19:30 GMT / 19:30 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Fulham
- B. Leno
- J. Andersen
- C. Bassey
- T. Castagne
- A. Robinson
- S. Berge
- H. Wilson
- S. Lukić
- E. Smith Rowe
- R. Jiménez
- Kevin
Chelsea
- Robert Sánchez
- T. Chalobah
- M. Gusto
- R. James
- W. Fofana
- E. Fernández
- M. Caicedo
- C. Palmer
- Andrey Santos
- João Pedro
- Pedro Neto
Injury & Suspension Report
Fulham
None.
Chelsea
None.
Head-to-Head
Meetings between these sides have often been cautious. Chelsea lead the historical series with more wins and took the last meeting 2-0. Recent clashes have tended to be low-scoring, averaging around two goals per game.
Match Analysis & Prediction
West London derby: margins at Craven Cottage
Fulham enter with three wins in their last five, reflecting a team settling into a clear plan at home: measured possession, inviting pressure, and then stepping through midfield to release runners. Their seven goals across those five matches show efficiency rather than volume, while an average of 1.6 scored and 1.4 conceded against nearby rivals in the table points to balanced but fine margins. Bernd Leno’s command of his box has been a key stabilizer, with multiple home clean sheets underlining his influence.
Chelsea’s away form has been mixed, with points dropped in four of their last five on the road despite seven goals scored. The midfield pairing of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo sets the platform, with Conor Palmer offering end product—he scored in their latest league draw. In attack, João Pedro’s six league goals this season and the direct threat of Pedro Neto provide outlets for transitions, while the presence of Reece James and Malo Gusto gives flexibility on the flanks.
Tactically, the game profiles as controlled and patient. Fulham will look to compress space centrally and spring wide when possible through the likes of Wilson and Smith Rowe feeding R. Jiménez and Kevin. Chelsea are likely to build steadily, aiming to sustain pressure and create zones for Palmer between the lines, with Andrey Santos supporting from midfield. Given the recent head-to-head trend of limited chances, set-pieces and defensive organization could be decisive.
Context matters in the table: Fulham sit 11th on 27 points from 19 games, Chelsea fifth on 30 from 19. With no reported injuries on either side, selections should be close to full strength, enhancing the tactical discipline expected from both coaches. The reverse fixture went Chelsea’s way, but this setting and Chelsea’s recent away record suggest a tighter outcome.
Prediction: A balanced, low-scoring contest. Fulham 1-1 Chelsea.