A pivotal West London derby takes place tonight, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as Fulham welcomes Chelsea to Craven Cottage. Kick-off is set for 19:30 GMT.
The match is steeped in narrative: Fulham is enjoying a five-game unbeaten run, while Chelsea is playing its final match under interim manager Calum McFarlane. Incoming head coach Liam Rosenior, a former Fulham player himself, will be watching from the stands as his new squad looks to snap a four-game winless streak in the Premier League.
Match Details: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 21)
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET
Venue: Craven Cottage, London
Referee: Peter Bankes (VAR: Paul Tierney)
Broadcast: Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
The Storyline: Fulham’s Surge vs. Chelsea’s Transition
Fulham: Unbeaten and Ambitious
Marco Silva’s side is arguably the most in-form team in London right now. Following a dramatic 2–2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, the Cottagers are unbeaten in five matches and sit just three points behind Chelsea. Despite a host of absentees, Silva has found a winning formula with Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez providing consistent attacking returns. A win tonight would see Fulham draw level on points with their local rivals and bolster their hopes for a European spot.
Chelsea: The Rosenior Revolution Begins
It has been a whirlwind week for the Blues. After the dismissal of Enzo Maresca, interim boss Calum McFarlane led the side to a spirited 1–1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday. On Tuesday, the club officially appointed Liam Rosenior on a six-and-a-half-year deal. While Rosenior won't be in the dugout tonight, the players are effectively playing for their futures. Chelsea has won only one of their last eight league games, and they desperately need three points to stop their slide down the table.
Team News & AFCON Absentees
Fulham Team News
AFCON Raid: The Nigerian trio of Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze remain away on international duty.
Injury Ward: Rodrigo Muniz (thigh), Kenny Tete (hamstring), and Josh King (knee) are all out.
Return: Ryan Sessegnon has recovered from a hamstring problem and is expected to be in the matchday squad.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Leno; Cuenca, Andersen, Diop; Castagne, Berge, Lukic, Robinson; Wilson, Smith Rowe; Jimenez.
Chelsea Team News
Suspension Over: Moises Caicedo is available after serving his one-match ban against Man City.
Injury Boost: Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, and Wesley Fofana have all returned to training and are facing late fitness tests; they are likely to feature if passed fit.
Out: Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo remain sidelined with longer-term injuries. Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable.
The "Palmer" Question: Cole Palmer completed his first 90 minutes in months on Sunday and is expected to lead the attack again tonight.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Historical Dominance: Chelsea has won 11 of the last 14 Premier League meetings between these two sides.
Cottage Comforts: The Blues have won six of their last seven visits to Craven Cottage.
Reverse Fixture: Chelsea won 2–0 at Stamford Bridge in August 2025.
Derby Record: Chelsea is unbeaten in their last 9 Premier League London derbies (W5, D4).
Fulham's Run: Fulham is seeking their first six-game unbeaten run in the top flight since 2010.
Tactical Analysis: Mid-Block vs. Individual Brilliance
Marco Silva utilized a back-three system to great effect against Liverpool, nullifying the champions’ wingers. He may stick with this to contain Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho. Fulham will look to dominate the midfield through the physicality of Sander Berge and exploit set-piece opportunities.
Chelsea, under McFarlane, showed a surprising level of defensive grit at the Etihad. With Caicedo returning, they will have more bite in the middle. The creative burden remains on Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer. If they can feed Joao Pedro early, Chelsea’s superior individual quality might break through a Fulham defense that has occasionally switched off late in games.
Match Prediction
This is one of the most evenly matched West London derbies in years. Fulham is the more settled, confident side, but the "new manager effect" (with Rosenior watching) often brings out an extra 10% in players. It should be a high-tempo, feisty affair.
Final Score Prediction: Fulham 1–1 Chelsea
