The Premier League 2025/26 season continues with a West London derby as Chelsea take on Fulham in Round 3. The game will take place on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Stamford Bridge in London. Both sides will be eager to secure three points, but Chelsea’s record in this fixture makes them heavy favorites.
Match Details
- Fixture: Chelsea vs Fulham
- Date: Saturday, 30 August 2025
- Time: 12:30 PM BST (UK) / 5:00 PM IST (India)
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Competition: Premier League 2025/26 – Matchweek 3
Where to Watch
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: NBC Sports / Peacock
- India: Star Sports Select / JioHotstar
- Europe: DAZN (selected regions), Canal+ (France), Sky Sport (Germany & Italy) Match Preview
Chelsea
Chelsea have begun the season positively under their new manager, Enzo Maresca. Even with some injury problems, Chelsea have played with good attack and strong teamwork. Playing at Stamford Bridge gives them a great chance to keep up their good start.
- Strengths: Strong midfield depth, attacking full-backs, and home advantage.
- Concerns: Injuries to key players, including Cole Palmer (groin injury), and Levi Colwill (knee injury).
- Key Players: Enzo Fernández, João Pedro, Reece James, Moisés Caicedo.
- Recent Activity: Chelsea are closing in on signing Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, but he is unlikely to feature in this match.
Fulham
Fulham enter the derby as underdogs but will aim to frustrate Chelsea and catch them on the counter. They are still working on squad depth, especially in attack, but their organized structure makes them competitive.
- Strengths: Compact defensive play and counter-attacks through wide areas.
- Concerns: Inconsistent scoring and defensive lapses.
- Key Players: Andreas Pereira, Calvin Bassey, Rodrigo Muniz, Bernd Leno.
- Recent News: Fulham are targeting reinforcements in attack, with links to Samuel Chukwueze and Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2026: France Announce Strong Squad for Qualifiers – Check Full Squad
Predicted Line-ups
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Pedro, Neto, Delap
- Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Lukic, Iwobi, King, Smith Rowe, Muniz
Head-to-Head & Stats
- Matches Played: 36
- Chelsea Wins: 22
- Draws: 11
- Fulham Wins: 3
Stamford Bridge Record: Fulham have usually struggled to win away at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, but in December 2024 they broke a 21-game winless run in all competitions with a memorable 2-1 victory.
Players to Watch – Chelsea
- Enzo Fernández: Controls midfield tempo and links defence to attack. His passing helps Chelsea create chances from deep positions.
- Reece James: A strong right-back who defends well and pushes forward in attack. He puts accurate balls into the box to give strikers a chance to score.
- João Pedro: A quick and skillful forward who can play across the front line. He likes to dribble past defenders and take shots from different angles.
Players to Watch – Chelsea
- Andreas Pereira: Creative midfielder who can unlock defences with vision. His quick passing helps Fulham build attacks in tight spaces.
- Rodrigo Muniz: A hardworking striker who fights for every ball in the box. His physical presence makes him a constant threat to defenders.
- Bernd Leno: A seasoned goalkeeper who will play a vital role in blocking Chelsea’s attacks. His presence and guidance at the back bring stability and confidence to Fulham’s defence.
What to Expect
Chelsea will look to dominate possession and attack through their wide players, while Fulham are expected to sit deep and counter. The derby atmosphere adds extra spice, but Chelsea’s home form and attacking quality make them favorites.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Fulham: Fulham could score on the counter, but Chelsea’s quality and home support should help them win.
Conclusion
The West London Derby between Chelsea and Fulham is set to be a fiery contest. Chelsea will want to maintain their early momentum under Maresca, while Fulham will aim for an upset. Fans can expect an entertaining battle full of intensity, goals, and drama at Stamford Bridge.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
