Fulham Vs Chelsea: Live Score, Preview, Lineup, Telecast Details
| Date | Thursday, January 8, 2026 |
| Time | 01:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Craven Cottage, London |
| Competition | Premier League (Matchday 21) |
🏟️ West London Derby: Fulham Host Chelsea in Crucial Clash
Craven Cottage sets the stage tonight for a high-stakes West London derby between Fulham and Chelsea. Both sides enter this fixture following dramatic late equalizers in their respective matches last weekend—Fulham snatching a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and Chelsea rescuing a point at Manchester City. For Chelsea, this match marks the final game under interim boss Calum McFarlane before Liam Rosenior officially takes the reins.
Fulham sits 11th in the table and remains unbeaten in their last five league outings. Marco Silva’s side will be eager for revenge after a 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge earlier this season. Meanwhile, Chelsea, currently 5th, is desperate to snap a winless run in 2026 and force their way back into the Champions League spots.
- Event: Premier League Matchday 21
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026 (IST)
- Time: 01:00 AM IST
- Venue: Craven Cottage, London
- Context: A derby battle where Chelsea looks to start a new era with a win while Fulham seeks to continue their unbeaten streak.
📊 Team Analysis & Form
Fulham (Coach: Marco Silva, Form: D W W D D)
The Cottagers are in strong form but are significantly weakened by the absence of their Nigerian trio—Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze—who are away on AFCON duty. Rodrigo Muniz remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Silva is expected to stick with his tactical setup, relying on the creativity of Harry Wilson and the physical presence of Raul Jimenez upfront.
Chelsea (Interim Coach: Calum McFarlane, Form: D L L D W)
Chelsea receives a massive boost with the return of Moises Caicedo from suspension. Key defenders Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella are also back in training and could feature. However, Levi Colwill, Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), and Romeo Lavia remain unavailable. The Blues have won only one of their last eight league games, making this derby a must-win to restore confidence.
⭐ Key Players
- Fulham: Harry Wilson (Winger) - The star performer this season with 6 goals and 4 assists; his delivery will be key to unlocking Chelsea's defense.
- Fulham: Raul Jimenez (Forward) - A consistent threat in the box, Jimenez will look to exploit any instability in the Chelsea backline.
- Chelsea: Enzo Fernandez (Midfielder) - Scored the dramatic equalizer against Man City and will be expected to dictate the tempo in midfield.
- Chelsea: Moises Caicedo (Midfielder) - His return provides vital defensive stability and ball recovery for a team in transition.
🎯 The Key Battlegrounds
- The Midfield Engine Room: The battle between Sander Berge and Moises Caicedo will likely determine which side controls the rhythm of the game.
- Defensive Stability: Chelsea has conceded 7 goals in their last 4 matches; preventing Fulham’s dangerous wingers from crossing will be a priority.
- The Managerial Transition: With Liam Rosenior watching from the stands, Chelsea players will be motivated to prove their worth to the incoming boss.
🔮 Prediction and Final Word
Derbies at Craven Cottage are rarely straightforward. While Fulham is in better form, Chelsea's squad quality and the return of key players like Caicedo give them a slight edge. Expect an entertaining, high-scoring affair where both teams find the net, but the Blues might just edge it to gift their new manager a perfect welcome.
Predicted Score: Fulham 1–2 Chelsea
Can Fulham maintain their unbeaten streak, or will Chelsea reign supreme in West London? Kick-off is at 01:00 AM IST tonight!
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