Chelsea v Fulham – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea continue their run of all-London fixtures with a West London derby against Fulham in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.

Enzo Maresca’s side arrive in a buoyant mood after thrashing West Ham 5-1 last weekend. Despite losing Cole Palmer to injury in the warm-up and conceding early to a Lucas Paqueta strike, the Blues responded through Joao Pedro, who opened his account, before goals from Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah sealed a dominant win.

The evening also produced a record-breaking moment as teenage winger Estevao Willian, at 18 years and 120 days, became the youngest Chelsea player to provide a Premier League assist.

The victory was Chelsea’s 10th in their last 12 matches across all competitions and quickly put to bed memories of their flat display against Crystal Palace on opening day.

History also favours the Blues. They have not failed to win either of their first two home league games of a season since 2002-03 and have always found the net in their first two Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham, meanwhile, stretched their unbeaten start to the season with another 1-1 draw, this time against Manchester United. After falling behind through a controversial Rodrigo Muniz own goal, substitute Emile Smith Rowe equalised with his first touch to earn Marco Silva’s men a deserved point.

That result was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win over Bristol City in the Carabao Cup, but Fulham’s away form in the Premier League remains a concern.

They have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine successive league games on the road and have never managed back-to-back victories at Stamford Bridge, despite stunning Chelsea 2-1 there on Boxing Day last year.

Team news for Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea’s preparations are hampered by Cole Palmer’s ongoing groin problem, which forced him out of the West Ham clash during the warm-up.

He is not expected to feature on Saturday, leaving Joao Pedro and Liam Delap likely to lead the line again.

The Blues also remain without long-term absentees Levi Colwill (ACL), Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Omari Kellyman, while Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension for alleged anti-doping violations.

Fulham could travel across London with a near full squad. Harry Wilson is the only slight concern after being substituted in the midweek cup win, though he may recover in time. Raul Jimenez impressed in that game with a goal and forced own goal, but Rodrigo Muniz is expected to start up front after scoring the decisive strike at Stamford Bridge last December.

Expected line-ups for Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Pedro, Neto; Delap

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, King, Smith Rowe; Muniz

How to watch Chelsea v Fulham: TV channel, online stream

The West London derby kicks off at 12:30pm (UK) on Saturday. It will be available to watch on TNT Sports. Those in the UK can also stream the game on discovery+.

The stats for Chelsea v Fulham

• Chelsea have lost just 8.3% of their Premier League matches against Fulham – the joint-lowest defeat percentage between two clubs that have faced each other at least 20 times in the competition
• Fulham have not kept an away clean sheet in nine league games
• Chelsea are unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 fixtures across all competitions
• Fulham’s last win at Stamford Bridge came in December 2024, a 2-1 Boxing Day victory

Prediction

Fulham may have shocked Chelsea at the Bridge last season, but Maresca’s side look a far stronger and more cohesive outfit this time around.

The visitors will likely make things tighter than West Ham managed, yet Chelsea’s attacking quality and home advantage should see them through.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham