Fulham v CHELSEA: Preview

Date: Wednesday seventh January 2026

Venue: Craven Cottage

Kick-off: 19:30 GMT

While the masterminds masquerading as
soccer membership executives are busy congratulating themselves on appointing but
one other supervisor (who most likely needed to verify Google Maps for “Stamford Bridge” on
his method), us long-suffering supporters should concentrate on what actually issues:
surviving one other episode of Premier League drama. Tonight, it’s the glamorous
away day to Craven Cottage—virtually a house recreation if you happen to fancy a brisk stroll
and a Greggs on the way in which.

Each groups managed to flee their final video games
with a degree—Chelsea, by some heroic improvisation (and a late Enzo rescue
act), and Fulham, because of Harrison Reed’s audition for “Objective of the Season”
that left Liverpool wanting like they’d simply sat on a wasp.

Let’s not sugar-coat it—4 video games and not using a
win, holding onto fifth place prefer it’s the final pint at The Butcher’s Hook. Fulham,
in the meantime, are strutting into this unbeaten in 5 and doubtless fancy their
possibilities of irritating us, particularly since our away kind recently couldn’t win a
raffle.

Underneath-21 coach on the touchline, Rosenior
peering over his specs within the stands, and the haunting risk of Fulham
catching us on factors if issues go south… what may presumably go mistaken?

Convey your sense of humour!

MANAGER’S VIEWS

Going into as we speak’s recreation, Fulham supervisor, Marco Silva, says “ It’s particular, as a result of we all know what’s occurred. We search for final season, how we gained away, how we misplaced at house, each video games with late objectives. It actually damage ourselves, our followers, this soccer membership, the way in which we weren’t capable of win the sport at Stamford Bridge [this season].

The way in which the workforce carried out virtually completely first half, in a extremely robust recreation in opposition to a prime, prime facet, the way in which the workforce carried out, and every part that occurred in that recreation, actually damage this soccer membership. I’m not speaking about one or two individuals, or simply the gamers – us, the soccer membership, the way in which that issues occurred that Saturday morning. It’s what it’s – now it’s one other alternative for us to get pleasure from, to embrace an enormous problem with our followers to play a derby like a derby needs to be performed. Easy as that.

It’s a brand new recreation, a brand new story. I don’t need
anybody to consider the previous, we’ve got to search for the long run, and what’s
going to be most necessary is the subsequent one. It’s a particular recreation. We have now our
plan. I choose for us to specific it on the sector not speak about it now. The
previous few video games we performed in opposition to them our performances confirmed that we’ve got
issues we will discover in opposition to them.”

Calum McFarlane, in the meantime, says “I spoke
to Liam (Rosenior) briefly final evening and he’s actually excited to take the position.
It was a short dialog and I perceive he will likely be at Cobham later as we speak,
so I’m positive I’ll meet up with him extra on that. I’ve been instructed I’m main
the sport tomorrow, and we are going to attempt to do the perfect job, as we’ve got performed, and
give him the three factors to take after which construct on.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Fulham, Rodrigo Muniz (thigh), Kenny Tete (hamstring) and Joshua King (knee) are injured, however Ryan Sessegnon has recovered from a hamstring drawback and is on the market. Chukwueze, Bassey and Iwobi are on AFCON obligation with Nigeria.

For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (knee), and Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo (each
thigh) stay out injured. Marc Cucurella (thigh), Robert Sanchez (muscle) and
Wesley Fofana (sickness) stay doubts, Mykhaylo Mudryk remains to be suspended, while
Moises Caicedo has served his one-game ban and is on the market once more.

TEAMS

FULHAM (Potential
line-up): Leno;
Cuenca, Andersen, Diop; Castagne, Berge, Lukic, Robinson; Wilson, Kevin;
Jimenez

CHELSEA (Potential line-up): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Pedro, Neto; Delap

LAST SEASON

Fulham 1-2 Chelsea (twentieth April 2025)

CURRENT FORM (PL)

FULHAM: LWWWDD

CHELSEA: DWDLDD

OTHER STUFF

Chelsea have gained simply one in all their final six
on the street in all tournamentsFulham are unbeaten of their final 5 gamesChelsea haven’t gained any of their final 4 away
within the Premier League.Fulham have misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games
in opposition to usFulham have managed simply three wins in opposition to Chelsea
throughout the Premier League period.

PREDICTION

Sportsmole: Fulham 1-1 Chelsea