The West London derby is upon us, and this Sunday’s clash between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage is shaping up to be a blockbuster. With both sides hungry for vital Premier League points—Fulham aiming to solidify their mid-table standing and Chelsea chasing a Champions League spot—the stakes couldn’t be higher. Here’s our deep dive into the predicted line-ups, the latest team news, and our bold score prediction for this electrifying encounter.
Predicted Line-ups
Fulham (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
- Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey, Joachim Andersen, Antonee Robinson
- Midfielders: Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Ryan Sessegnon, Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi
- Striker: Rodrigo Muniz
Marco Silva is expected to roll out his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation for Fulham. Bernd Leno remains the undisputed No. 1 in goal, shielded by a backline of Castagne, Bassey, Andersen, and the ever-reliable Robinson.
In midfield, Berge and Lukic will anchor the engine room, freeing up the attacking trio of Sessegnon, Pereira, and Iwobi to wreak havoc. Up top, Rodrigo Muniz will lead the charge, looking to capitalize on any Chelsea defensive lapses.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
- Defenders: Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella
- Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
- Striker: Nicolas Jackson
Enzo Maresca is likely to mirror Fulham’s 4-2-3-1 setup. Robert Sanchez will guard the net, with a back four of Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, and Cucurella tasked with keeping Fulham’s attackers at bay.
The midfield duo of Caicedo and Fernandez will aim to dictate the tempo, while the flair of Madueke, Palmer,
and Neto promises fireworks in the final third. Nicolas Jackson will spearhead the attack, hoping to add to his goal tally.
Team News
Fulham
- Out: Reiss Nelson (hamstring)
- Doubtful: Harry Wilson (fitness)
Fulham face a blow with Reiss Nelson sidelined by a hamstring injury, while Harry Wilson’s fitness issues make him a question mark for Sunday. These absences could force Silva to lean heavily on his starting attacking midfielders, with limited options off the bench.
Chelsea
- Out: Wesley Fofana (thigh – out for season), Omari Kellyman (hamstring – out for season), Marc Guiu (thigh)
- Suspended: Mykhailo Mudryk
Chelsea’s injury list remains a concern, with Wesley Fofana and Omari Kellyman out for the season and Marc Guiu still nursing a thigh problem. Mykhailo Mudryk’s suspension adds further strain, though Romeo Lavia’s return offers a silver lining—albeit with his minutes likely to be limited.
Score Prediction
This West London showdown is poised to be a nail-biter. Fulham have been a force at Craven Cottage, notching wins against heavyweights like Liverpool and Tottenham this season. Yet, their recent inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities could prove costly. Chelsea, meanwhile, have faltered on their travels, with a lackluster draw against Ipswich exposing their road woes. Still, the Blues boast a squad brimming with talent, and players like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson could turn the tide.
After weighing both sides, we’re predicting a 2-1 Chelsea victory. It’ll be tight, but Chelsea’s attacking edge might just tip the scales in their favor.
Final Thoughts
The West London derby never fails to deliver, and this edition promises drama, passion, and no shortage of talking points. Will Fulham harness their home advantage to stun their neighbors, or will Chelsea’s star power shine through? Grab your popcorn this one’s going to be unmissable!
