2025-26 Premier League: Week 21 – Fulham vs Chelsea

Fulham host Chelsea in a West-London derby as both teams continue to engage in a fiercely close race for European qualification. 

Victory could lift Fulham as high as eighth if results elsewhere go in their favour, whilst Chelsea can go fourth with a win

 

Team News

Fulham have no fresh injury concerns after their 2-2 draw against Liverpool, with Ryan Sessegnon set to return from a hamstring injury.

Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi (all international duty), Rodrigo Muniz, Kenny Tete (both hamstring) and Joshua King (knee) remain absent.

Chelsea could be without Robert Sanchez after he missed their 1-1 draw at Manchester City due to a muscle injury.

Moises Caicedo is back from his one-match ban but Marc Cucurella (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (illness) face late fitness checks.

Romeo Lavia (quad), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Wednesday 7 January at 7:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Fulham have won one of their last five meetings against Chelsea (W1, L4).
• Chelsea have lost just one of their last 13 visits to Fulham (W9, D3, L1).
• Two of Fulham’s last three meetings against Chelsea ended in 2-1 results, of which both teams took a win apiece by that scoreline whilst the Blues won their recent clash 2-0 at home in August 2025.
• Fulham have kept clean sheets in two of their last five matches (W3, D2).
• Enzo Fernandez has scored in both of Chelsea’s last two matches (D2), as they drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth then 1-1 at Manchester City.

 

Prediction

Having produced two clinical goals against the run of play at home to Liverpool amidst two poorly marked second-half conceded goals, Fulham will be pleased at how defensively organised their defence was whilst still able to trouble the Reds at pace.

Chelsea meanwhile are now under new manager, Liam Rosenoir but he won’t be in the dugout so this is a chance for them to lay a marker down, but they need to be more clinical than they were at Man City despite solid defending aside from marking of Tijani Reijnders’ goal.

Fulham however are in a solid groove and if they are as solid as they were against Liverpool, I can see them holding Chelsea to a draw.

Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Fulham 2-1 Chelsea