The highly anticipated Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea will take place at 02:00 on August 25, 2026. Chelsea, led by their new manager Xabi Alonso, is looking to build on a positive pre-season where they remained unbeaten in their last three matches, including a notable 3-0 victory over AC Milan. With a solid attacking lineup, Chelsea is expected to perform well against Fulham, who have struggled with consistency in recent games.

Historically, Chelsea has had a strong record at Craven Cottage, winning 13 out of their last 20 encounters there, with only 2 losses. This gives them a psychological edge as they prepare to face Fulham in this London derby. Chelsea's recent signings, including Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa and Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, have bolstered their squad, and the team is expected to be in good form.

On the other hand, Fulham has faced difficulties, winning only 4 out of their last 11 matches across all competitions. Their defensive vulnerabilities have been evident, as they have kept a clean sheet in just 1 of their last 5 games. This lack of stability makes them an underdog in this matchup against a Chelsea side that is eager to start the season on a high note.

Team News

Fulham will be without Tom Cairney due to injury and Joachim Andersen, who is suspended. This leaves Alexander Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe as key attacking options. Chelsea, meanwhile, will miss Emmanuel Emegha and Jordan Henderson, also due to injuries, and Wesley Fofana is suspended.

Predicted Lineups

• Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Bobb, King, Palacios; Gonzalo
• Chelsea (3-4-3): Sanchez; Colwill, Lacroix, James; Neto, Lavia, Caicedo, Palestra; Rogers, Palmer, Joao Pedro

Based on current form and historical performance, Chelsea is favored to win this match, potentially with a scoreline of 2-1. However, the first half may see limited scoring opportunities, as has been the trend in recent encounters between the two teams.