Match Overview

The first West London Derby of 2026 pits a resilient Fulham side against a Chelsea team in transition. Fulham enters this clash sitting 11th in the table, buoyed by a dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Chelsea, currently 5th, are operating under interim boss Calum McFarlane following the departure of Enzo Maresca. Both teams secured hard-fought draws against "Big Six" opposition last weekend, making this midweek encounter a crucial pivot point for their respective European ambitions.

How to Watch: Live Streaming

Fans worldwide can catch the action through the following official broadcasters:

• United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Live streaming is available via the Sky Go app and NOW TV.
• United States: Exclusively on Peacock.
• Canada: FuboTV.
• Australia: Optus Sport.

Tactical Analysis

Fulham's Marco Silva has recently experimented with a back-three system to counteract high-pressing teams, a move that yielded a point against Liverpool. However, against Chelsea, he may revert to his trusted 4-2-3-1 or a hybrid 5-4-1 to stifle Chelsea's creative hubs. For the Blues, interim manager McFarlane has introduced more verticality, encouraging Robert Sanchez to act as a "sweeper-keeper" to create numerical overloads in the build-up.

Predicted Lineups

Match Preview

Chelsea’s recent form has been a rollercoaster, with the team managing only one win in their last eight league outings. Despite this, the return of Moises Caicedo from suspension and the potential recovery of Wesley Fofana provide a massive boost to a defense that has looked shaky. The Blues will rely heavily on Cole Palmer's vision to unlock a Fulham defense led by the commanding Joachim Andersen.

Fulham, though missing key African players due to international commitments, have shown they can go toe-to-toe with the elite. Harry Wilson has been their standout performer, and his delivery from wide areas will be the primary threat to Chelsea's makeshift backline.

Recent Head-to-Head

Match Prediction

While Fulham are unbeaten in their last five league games, Chelsea's superior quality in transitions and the "new manager bounce" under McFarlane might just give them the edge. Expect goals at both ends, but the Blues to narrowly secure all three points.