The festive fixtures wrap up for 2025 at the London Stadium today, Saturday, December 27, as West Ham United host Fulham in a 3:00 PM GMT kick-off.
This London derby carries immense weight at both ends of the mid-table: West Ham are fighting to climb out of the relegation zone after a disastrous run of form, while Fulham are on the verge of the top ten, seeking three consecutive league wins for the first time in nearly three years.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 18)
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Venue: London Stadium, London
Broadcast: Peacock (US) / Not televised live in the UK (3 PM blackout)
Current Form: Relegation Fear vs. Festive Momentum
West Ham: The Doldrums
The "Hammers" enter the final match of 2025 in crisis. Currently 18th in the table (13 points), Nuno Espírito Santo’s side is winless in their last six league games. Coming off a bruising 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, West Ham are five points adrift of safety. Their home form is particularly worrying, having won just twice at the London Stadium all season.
Fulham: High on Confidence
Marco Silva’s men are "blowing hot" as the year ends. Sitting 13th with a chance to leapfrog into the top ten, the "Cottagers" have won their last two away games and secured a gritty 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Monday. They have developed a knack for winning tight games, with each of their last seven results decided by a single goal.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
West Ham Team News
Nuno Espírito Santo is dealing with significant absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and injuries.
Out: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (AFCON), El Hadji Malick Diouf (AFCON), Lukasz Fabiański (Back), Niclas Füllkrug (Thigh).
Selection Note: Teenage full-back Ezra Mayers is expected to make his first senior start.
Predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Areola; Walker-Peters, Kilman, Todibo, Mayers; Potts, Fernandes, Magassa; Paquetá; Bowen, Wilson.
Fulham Team News
Fulham’s squad is also stretched by AFCON call-ups for their Nigerian contingent.
Out: Alex Iwobi (AFCON), Calvin Bassey (AFCON), Samuel Chukwueze (AFCON), Rodrigo Muniz (Hamstring), Ryan Sessegnon (Thigh).
Doubt: Harry Wilson is facing a late fitness test after a heavy knock on his knee against Forest.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Lukić, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jiménez.
Tactical Analysis: Midfield Battleground
Paquetá’s Creative Burden
With West Ham struggling for goals, the pressure is on Lucas Paquetá to unlock Fulham's organized defense. Nuno is expected to play a narrower diamond midfield to control the center, relying on Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson to stretch the play.
Fulham’s Transition Play
Fulham thrives when Sander Berge and Saša Lukić win the ball in midfield. Their transition to the wings—specifically through Antonee Robinson’s overlapping runs—will be a major threat to West Ham's inexperienced full-backs. Emile Smith Rowe will look to exploit the "half-spaces" between the Hammers' midfield and defense.
Head-to-Head: Recent History
West Ham has historically dominated this fixture at home, losing only twice in their last ten meetings with Fulham.
Last Meeting: West Ham 3–2 Fulham (January 14, 2025).
Last at Craven Cottage: Fulham 1–1 West Ham (September 2024).
Home Streak: West Ham have won six of their last seven home games against Fulham.
Match Prediction
West Ham are desperate, but Fulham are clinical. While history favors the Hammers at the London Stadium, their current lack of confidence and defensive lapses (no clean sheet in 14 games) suggest Fulham may finally break their "London Stadium hoodoo." Expect a tight, feisty derby.
Final Score Prediction: West Ham 1–2 Fulham
