The games continue to come thick and fast, as Gameweek 21 of the 2025/26 Premier League season continues on Wednesday with eight fixtures. The action on the day will start with six simultaneous games, including Fulham vs Chelsea at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva has turned things around for Fulham in recent weeks, with Fulham embarking on a five-match unbeaten run in the past month. While the Cottagers have dropped points in their last two games, they have earned creditable draws with Crystal Palace and Liverpool in those outings. The positive run of results has lifted the West London club to 11th on the Premier League table, three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.
On the other hand, Chelsea’s struggles have amplified in recent weeks, with the poor run of results and run-ins behind the scenes costing Enzo Maresca his job. The 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup winners won only one of their eight Premier League games.
However, the Blues were impressive in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City after scoring a late equaliser to earn a point this past weekend. Meanwhile, a new era is on the horizon for Chelsea, as they have appointed Liam Rosenior as the new head coach. However, Calum McFarlane will be in the dugout against Fulham, taking his second and final game in charge as the caretaker boss.
The reverse fixture ended in a 2-0 win for Chelsea, with Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Marco Silva has no new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. However, the Fulham manager continues to be bereft of the services of over half a dozen first-team players vs Chelsea on Wednesday.
Joshua King is closing in on returning from a knee injury. However, Wednesday’s game may have come too soon for the young playmaker. Meanwhile, Ryan Sessegnon, Kenny Tete, and Rodrigo Muniz remain in the treatment room due to their hamstring injuries. Additionally, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze are still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Bernd Leno is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Fulham lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs Chelsea on Wednesday. The central defensive unit will feature Issa Diop, Joachim Anderson, and Jorge Cuenca. Meanwhile, Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will be the two wing-backs.
The wide duo will provide width in the final third and protect the centre-backs. As for the midfield unit, Sander Berge will line up alongside Sasa Lukic in the double pivot. Finally, Raul Jimenez will lead the line for Fulham against Chelsea, with Kevin and Harry Wilson completing the numbers in the offensive unit.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Leno; Diop, Andersen, Cuenca; Castagne, Berge, Lukic, Robinson; Wilson, Kevin; Jimenez
Unlike his counterpart in the Fulham dugout, Calum McFarlane has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage. Chelsea’s caretaker boss may be without only four first-team players on Wednesday.
Moises Caicedo is available after serving a suspension in the game against Manchester City. Meanwhile, Robert Sanchez (muscular), Wesley Fofana (illness), and Marc Cucurella (hamstring) are closing in on returning from their short layoffs. However, Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (hamstring), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) remain in the treatment room. Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve his doping ban.
Filip Jorgensen will continue between the sticks if Robert Sanchez is not fit and available, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Fulham on Wednesday. The backline will feature Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, and Malo Gusto. Wesley Fofana will feature in place of Badiashile if he is ready to start.
As for the midfield unit, Moises Caicedo will pair up with Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Cola Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joao Pedro will spearhead the Chelsea attack against Fulham, with Liam Delap being a backup option on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro
While Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro, and Raul Jimenez were viable candidates for the section, we have picked Harry Wilson as the Player to Watch for Wednesday’s Premier League clash between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland (11) has more goal involvements in the Premier League than Wilson’s nine (G5 A4). The Welsh international is in the form of his life, thus becoming “fixture proof” in the top flight. With such numbers to back his case, it is hardly surprising that he is a captaincy candidate in FPL heading into Gameweek 21.
Fulham’s recent record in London derbies may not prompt optimism from fans in any other period. However, the Cottagers are among the most in-form teams in the Premier League, and they have not slowed down against more accomplished teams.
On the other hand, despite a spirited performance against Manchester City, Chelsea’s output in the final third leaves much to be desired. Additionally, recent outings have exposed the Blues’ soft underbelly during defensive phases. With Fulham also being vulnerable at the back, a closely contested affair is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw for Wednesday’s clash at Craven Cottage.
