The concluding match of the opening weekend of the Premier League features Fulham hosting Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday. Both teams are starting new chapters under well-known managers.
Fulham has parted ways with Marco Silva after five years, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking over on a three-year deal. The new manager’s first challenge comes against Chelsea, who also have a new face in charge, Xabi Alonso.
During pre-season, Fulham recorded a mixed performance, securing two wins out of six and managing only one clean sheet. Nevertheless, they can take heart from their recent encounter with Chelsea, having secured a 2-1 victory in their last match at home.
Chelsea finished a disappointing tenth last season and will look to Alonso to provide the necessary stability to a club that has seen numerous managerial changes since 2021.
Historically, Chelsea has had the upper hand in this matchup, but Fulham has secured two wins in their last four encounters. Chelsea will be eager to kick off this new era with a win, demonstrating their ambitions for the upcoming season.
Team News
Fulham will not feature Tom Cairney and misses Joachim Andersen due to suspension. Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios are set to make their competitive debuts, while Alex Iwobi is expected to start.
Chelsea remains without Jordan Henderson, Emmanuel Emegha, and Wesley Fofana. Danny Welbeck is undergoing a late fitness evaluation, and Joao Pedro, who scored seven goals in pre-season, is expected to lead the line.
Possible Lineups
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Cuenca, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Palestra; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport Premier League |
| Live Stream | dstv stream |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00pm (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts Fulham 1-2 Chelsea.
