As Chelsea gear up for their Premier League clash against Fulham at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, fan predictions are buzzing with excitement. The Blues, under their current management, have started the 2025-26 season with promise, with this home fixture against their London rivals could be a pivotal early-season test, with Chelsea looking to maintain momentum after a dominant performance in their previous outing.
Match Reaction: West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Chelsea's campaign gained serious traction with a resounding 5-1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium. The Blues were ruthless in attack, with multiple goalscorers showcasing their depth. Trevoh Chalobah capped off the rout with the fifth goal, highlighting a clinical display that overwhelmed the Hammers.
Defensively solid despite conceding once, this win boosted confidence and set a high bar for the Fulham encounter. Manager's tactics paid dividends, and the team looked cohesive— a positive omen for Saturday's derby.
The Predicted Formation and Starting XI
Chelsea are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a similar setup to the West Ham game. Cole Palmer is also expected to miss out again today with him not being in full team training today. Here's a breakdown of the predicted team:
- Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
The Spanish shot-stopper retains his place between the posts, providing reliability and strong distribution from the back. - Defense: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James
A robust back four, with Cucurella on the left offering overlapping runs, Adarabioyo and Chalobah forming a commanding central partnership, and captain Reece James marauding down the right flank. This setup emphasizes physicality and aerial presence, crucial against Fulham's counter-attacking style. - Midfield Pivot: Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo
The dynamic duo in the engine room. Fernandez's vision and passing range complement Caicedo's tenacity and ball-winning abilities, allowing Chelsea to control the tempo and transition quickly. - Attacking Midfielders: Joao Pedro, Estevão, Pedro Neto
An exciting trio behind the striker. Joao Pedro brings creativity and goal threat from the left, young sensation Estevão operates centrally with his dribbling prowess, and summer signing Pedro Neto adds pace and directness on the right. This line could exploit Fulham's defensive vulnerabilities with quick interchanges and width. - Striker: Liam Delap
Leading the line, Delap's physicality and finishing instincts make him a focal point, potentially thriving on service from the creative midfielders.
Presuming Cole Palmer won’t be fit, this would be my team against Fulham. Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/lhsdVFZ7jN
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) August 26, 2025
This predicted XI reflects a balanced approach, prioritizing youth and energy while leaning on experienced heads like James and Fernandez. If realized, it could see Chelsea dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities, especially at home where they've historically performed well against Fulham.
Why This Lineup Makes Sense
Coming off a strong start to the season, this selection appears tailored to Fulham's tactics under Marco Silva, who often favours a compact midfield and rapid breaks. By deploying a double pivot, Chelsea can neutralize threats like Fulham's key playmakers, while the attacking quartet provides the firepower to break down a stubborn defense.
Notably, players like Estevão, set to make his full integration this season, and Neto, a recent addition, signal the club's investment in future stars.
