The final fixture of the opening Premier League weekend sees Fulham welcome Chelsea to Craven Cottage on Monday, with both clubs beginning new eras under familiar faces.
Fulham have moved on from Marco Silva after five years, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking charge on a three-year contract. The Spaniard faces an immediate test against Chelsea, who have also appointed a new manager in Xabi Alonso.
Fulham enjoyed mixed fortunes during pre-season, winning two of six matches and keeping just one clean sheet. However, they can draw confidence from their recent record against Chelsea, having beaten the Blues 2-1 in their last meeting at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea endured a disappointing 10th-place finish last season and will be hoping Alonso can bring stability to a club that has gone through several managerial changes since 2021.
The Blues have historically dominated this fixture, but Fulham have won two of their last four meetings. Chelsea will be determined to begin their new era with three points and immediately signal their ambitions for the campaign.
Team News
Fulham will be without Tom Cairney, while Joachim Andersen is suspended. Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios are expected to make their competitive debuts, with Alex Iwobi also likely to start.
Chelsea remain without Jordan Henderson, Emmanuel Emegha and Wesley Fofana. Danny Welbeck faces a late fitness test, while Joao Pedro will lead the attack after scoring seven goals during pre-season.
Possible Lineups
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Bassey, Diop, Robinson; Lukic, Iwobi; Adama, Palhinha, Palacios; Garcia
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill; James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; 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.
