Fulham vs Chelsea - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

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FanSided World Football

·19 April 2025

Fulham vs Chelsea - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Having won at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, Fulham are seeking to complete a first-ever league-double over Chelsea; the Blues have lost only two of 22 visits to Craven Cottage since an Anglo-Scottish Cup tie in 1977.

Fulham vs Chelsea Preview

These two West London rivals are located just 1.6 miles apart and are only separated by six points in the table, making this a key clash in the race for European qualification. Chelsea's underwhelming form continued last weekend, held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich at home, actually 2-0 down at half time, with Jadon Sancho's stunner only enough to salvage a draw. Prior to this, the Blues had won five on the spin at home, but their away form is alarming, without a win in eight, dating back to 8 December.

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This has actually seen Enzo Maresca's team slip out of the top five, and they have a very daunting run-in, taking on Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Man United and then Nottingham Forest after this. Meantime, on Thursday night, Chelsea did reach the Conference League semi-finals, but did so in very unconvincing fashion. The Blues were beaten 2-1 by Legia Warszawa at Stamford Bridge but, having won 3-0 in the Polish capital, did enough to secure their place in the last four, strong favourites to overcome Djurgårdens. Nevertheless, Chelsea are desperate to be back in a more illustrious UEFA competition next season, making three points on the banks of the River Thames vital.

Fulham meantime have not featured on the continent since 2011, desperate to change that fact. Their hopes of achieving this did suffer a set back on Monday night, beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth at Dean Court, the night's only goal coming after a mere 57 seconds. This saw Marco Silva's side slip down to ninth, thereby outside the potential European places, below the Cherries on goal difference.

The Cottagers have alternated between winning and losing for the last eight matches, dating back to Valentine's Day, a trend they'll hope continues, well for one more match at least. So, can Fulham climb to within just three points of their fiercest local rivals, thereby enhancing their own European chances, while simultaneously denting Chelsea's top five hopes?

Fulham vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 92.

Fulham Wins: 13. Draws: 27. Chelsea Wins: 52.

Fulham Team News

After defeat on Monday, it'll be interesting to see if Marco Silva tinkers with his team in any way. Ryan Sessegnon will be hoping to keep his place in attack, with Emile Smith Rowe, Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez, who all came off the bench in Dorset, amongst those hoping to start this time.

Saša Lukić, while not in danger of a suspension, has 12 yellow cards to his name this season. The Serbian requires three more to break the single-season Premier League record of 14.

Fulham predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukić, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz.

Fulham Player to Watch vs Chelsea

Rodrigo Muniz has 11 goals to his name this season, one of which was the last-gasp winner at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, so can he repeat the feat?

Chelsea Team News

Surprisingly, considering they were 3-0 up from the first leg, both Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson started against Legia Warsaw on Thursday; both were left on the bench at Brentford a fortnight ago, but the Blues need the duo from the start. Robert Sánchez, Malo Gusto, Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke are amongst those who will be recalled.

Chelsea Player to Watch vs Fulham

Cole Palmer is now without a goal in 15 appearances across all competitions, so can he break this barren streak?

Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction

This West London derby is so tough to call. Fulham are inconsistent, while Chelsea's Premier League away form is alarming, so we're sitting on the fence and forecasting a draw: Fulham 1-1 Chelsea.