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    Fulham vs Chelsea: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

    Fulham vs Chelsea predicted formations

    Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24 (3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT).

    Fulham will be without the suspended Joachim Andersen and the injured Tom Cairney at Craven Cottage, leaving Alexander Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe to carry the creative load in behind the front line. Chelsea arrive without the injured Emmanuel Emegha, the injured Jordan Henderson and the suspended Wesley Fofana, with Geovany Quenda, Levi Colwill, Aaron Anselmino and Mamadou Sarr all doubts, though João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández remain the spine of the visiting side.

    Fulham vs Chelsea: Best Bets & Predictions

    Fulham open the new season at home to a Chelsea side built around João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández.

    Chelsea to winTop pickChelsea's front three carry more proven end product into the opener than a Fulham side still finding its feet.
    53%win prob.-112 @ bet365
    Both teams to score — YesFulham have goal threats of their own even with Chelsea expected to control large spells.
    64%chance-175 @ bet365
    Over 2.5 goalsBoth sides have shown they can be opened up, and a share of goals at both ends fits that pattern.
    62%chance-163 @ bet365
    Fulham 1-2 ChelseaA tight opener where Chelsea's edge in front of goal is just enough to get them over the line.
    11%chance850 @ bet365
    João Pedro anytime goalscorerNo one in this Chelsea squad found the net more often last season, and he's a threat off either shoulder.
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐chanceopening soon @ bet365

    Our approach: we weigh the underlying data — shots, chances created, minutes — against how each side arrives at Craven Cottage, then build picks that agree with each other rather than betting every market in isolation.

    Back these with bet365Odds shown in American format; your local odds may vary.
    Bet with bet365 → bet365 review

    Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).

    Season Form & Standings

    It’s the opening weekend of the new season, so there’s no league table to lean on yet — Fulham and Chelsea both arrive on zero points with an unplayed record.

    Premier League

    TeamPosGPWDLGFGAGDPts
    Chelsea60
    Fulham100
    Team News Predicted

    Fulham vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups

    Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.

    Fulham

    4-2-3-1
    Leno
    Castagne
    Cuenca
    Bassey
    Robinson
    Berge
    Iwobi
    Bobb
    King
    Palacios
    Gonzalo García

    Chelsea

    3-4-3
    Sanchez
    James
    Lacroix
    Colwill
    Neto
    Lavia
    Moises Caicedo
    Palestra
    Palmer
    João Pedro
    Rogers
      Squawka · Team News

      Potential Match-Winners

      • Alexander Iwobi (Fulham): Iwobi scored 4 goals and created 44 chances last season, adding 3 assists from a central role behind the front line.
      • João Pedro (Chelsea): João Pedro top-scored with 15 goals last season from 73 shots, with 5 assists on top.
      • Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Palmer added 10 goals of his own last season from 64 shots, with 25 of those on target.

      Recent Form

      Fulham: D W L L D

      • 2026-05-17: Wolves 1-1 Fulham (D, away)
      • 2026-05-09: Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth (L, home)
      • 2026-05-02: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham (L, away)
      • 2026-04-25: Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa (W, home)
      • 2026-04-18: Brentford 0-0 Fulham (D, away)

      Fulham ended last season with a draw at Brentford, a home win over Aston Villa, then back-to-back defeats away to Arsenal and at home to Bournemouth, before closing out with a draw at Wolves.

      Chelsea: L L L D W

      • 2026-05-19: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham (W, home)
      • 2026-05-09: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (D, away)
      • 2026-05-04: Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest (L, home)
      • 2026-04-21: Brighton 3-0 Chelsea (L, away)
      • 2026-04-18: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United (L, home)

      Chelsea’s last season finished with three straight defeats — at home to Manchester United, away to Brighton and at home to Nottingham Forest — before a draw at Liverpool and a win over Tottenham to close out the campaign.

      Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction

      Neither side carries a league position into this one — it’s matchday one for both — but Chelsea’s front three of João Pedro, Palmer and Fernández give them the clearer edge in front of goal, and that should be enough to see them edge a tight opener. A 1-2 away win, with goals at both ends, feels the right read of a Fulham side still finding its early-season sharpness against a stiff test for the home defence.