Chelsea face Fulham at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime hoping to secure their first home league victory of 2025-26 season.
Four points from a possible six has been the return for Chelsea, who followed up their goalless draw against Crystal Palace with a thumping 5-1 win over West Ham.
Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer with a groin injury. Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia will also be absent against Marco Silva’s side. Moises Caicedo trained for the first time on Friday since the win over West Ham, so he could be a doubt to play the full 90 minutes.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is aware solutions will need to be found with Palmer’s absence, ahead of an expected tough battle against Marco Silva’s Fulham.
Chelsea confirmed Lineup:
Starting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto; Delap
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, James, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, Santos, George, Gittens.
Your XI. 🔵📋#CFC | #CHEFUL pic.twitter.com/NP9GawMfZS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 30, 2025
The visitors will be full of confidence, having started the season unbeaten with two league draws and a midweek cup win. They also took four points from their rivals last term, including a memorable 2-1 victory in this same fixture on Boxing Day
Marco Silva has a near fully-fit and confident squad to choose from for the trip to Stamford Bridge. Left back Ryan Sessegnon proved his fitness by starting the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Bristol City.
Meanwhile, first-choice left-back Antonee Robinson has also returned to training after his knee issue. Sessegnon is more likely to start, given he has recent match minutes under his belt.
The attack will be supported by the creative duo of Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe, who have both started the season well. The manager has reported no new injury concerns.
Fulham confirmed Lineup:
Starting XI: Leno (C), Castagne, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge, Lukić, King, Iwobi, Muniz
Substitutes: Lecomte, Cuenca, Robinson, Reed, Cairney, Wilson, Adama, Smith Rowe, Raúl
Marco Silva’s Fulham. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/ziWEueNjKD
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 30, 2025
