Match Overview

Fulham host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Sunday in the Premier League. The contest brings together contrasting approaches: Fulham’s patient build-up at home against Palace’s more direct, streamlined transitions. Light rain and cool conditions are expected, which could reward compact defending and careful ball retention. Palace claimed a 3-0 FA Cup win in March, adding an edge to this London matchup.

• Fixture: Fulham vs Crystal Palace
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Craven Cottage
• Date: 07-12-2025
• Kickoff: 16:30 GMT / 16:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Fulham

• B. Leno (Goalkeeper)
• J. Andersen (Defender)
• C. Bassey (Defender)
• K. Tete (Defender)
• T. Castagne (Defender)
• S. Berge (Midfielder)
• A. Iwobi (Midfielder)
• R. Sessegnon (Midfielder)
• H. Wilson (Midfielder)
• R. Jiménez (Attacker)
• Kevin (Attacker)

Crystal Palace

• D. Henderson (Goalkeeper)
• M. Lacroix (Defender)
• T. Mitchell (Defender)
• D. Muñoz (Defender)
• C. Richards (Defender)
• D. Kamada (Midfielder)
• A. Wharton (Midfielder)
• J. Lerma (Midfielder)
• W. Hughes (Midfielder)
• J. Mateta (Attacker)
• Yeremy Pino (Attacker)

Injury & Suspension Report

Fulham

• Rodrigo Muniz – Hamstring Injury
• A. Robinson – Knee Injury

Crystal Palace

• I. Sarr – Ankle Injury
• B. Sosa – Knock
• Caleb Kporha – Back Injury
• C. Doucouré – Knee Injury
• C. Riad – Knee Injury
• Rio Cardines – Muscle Injury

Head-to-Head

These sides have shared a balanced series, with Fulham holding a slight edge in overall wins and Crystal Palace close behind. Recent meetings have tended to be low scoring, averaging around two goals across the last eight encounters.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Fulham’s home pattern points to a measured tempo and controlled possession phases, which have delivered nine goals across their last five matches at Craven Cottage. However, they have shown vulnerability against similarly ranked opponents, conceding at a rate of more than two per game in those tests. Palace’s profile on the road is steadier at both ends, suggesting a tight battle where first-half control and set-piece concentration could be decisive in the wet conditions.

Fulham’s measured build-up at Craven Cottage

The hosts look to progress play through midfield, with S. Berge offering security and A. Iwobi and H. Wilson tasked with link-up and supply. That structure can create consistent entries into the final third for R. Jiménez and Kevin, but it also requires clean rest-defense to avoid being exposed in transition. Fulham’s challenge is to convert sustained possession into high-quality chances while limiting the open-field opportunities that have hurt them against peer clubs.

Palace’s away resilience led by Henderson

Crystal Palace travel well: they have scored seven times in their last five away outings and have relied on D. Henderson’s reliability, highlighted by seven clean sheets in ten away fixtures. Their recent results against similarly placed opposition have been positive, underpinned by a profile of roughly 1.67 goals scored and about one conceded per away game. With a solid back line of M. Lacroix, T. Mitchell, D. Muñoz, and C. Richards, Palace can sit compact, then break through J. Mateta and Yeremy Pino when space appears.

Tactical outlook and key battles

The likely dynamic sees Fulham circulate the ball patiently, trying to move Palace’s block and find width through K. Tete and T. Castagne, while Palace look to compress central spaces and spring counters. Midfield management will be key: J. Lerma, W. Hughes, A. Wharton, and D. Kamada give the visitors options to screen and launch forward quickly. If Fulham avoid cheap turnovers and maintain defensive structure behind the ball, they can tilt territory; if Palace win transitions in midfield, their efficiency away from home becomes a major factor.

Prediction

A tight, disciplined contest with limited chances. Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Crystal Palace.