The West London Derby returns this Wednesday as Fulham and Chelsea face off at Craven Cottage on matchday 21 of the Premier League. The two sides are separated by just a few points in the standings, with Chelsea sitting fifth and Fulham in eleventh. The Blues have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, winning both meetings last year, but the Cottagers will be eager to turn the tide in front of their home fans. With both teams showing attacking intent in recent weeks, this clash promises to be a lively one.

Fulham’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Fulham enter this derby in decent form, having gone four league matches unbeaten. Their most recent outing was a thrilling 2-2 draw against Liverpool, where they twice found the net through Harry Wilson and Harrison Reed. The Cottagers have shown resilience, managing to avoid defeat in their last two home games after suffering consecutive losses earlier in the season. Their overall record in the Premier League stands at 8 wins, 4 draws, and 8 defeats, with an average of 1.4 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per match.

Despite their mid-table position, Fulham remain within touching distance of the European qualification spots. A win here could reignite their push up the table, while a defeat might see them slip several places. Historically, however, this fixture has not been kind to them — they have won just one of their last thirteen home league games against Chelsea, losing nine and drawing three.

In terms of attacking consistency, Fulham have been reliable scorers. They have found the back of the net in every league match since early November, and over 0.5 goals have been scored in the second half in 22 of their last 23 Premier League fixtures. This trend suggests that the Cottagers often grow stronger as the game progresses, particularly at home, where late goals have become a hallmark of their performances.

• Last 5 matches: 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat.


• Average goals scored: 1.2 | Average conceded: 1.0.


• Over 0.5 goals in the second half in 18 of their last 20 home matches.


• Last result: 2-2 vs Liverpool (04/01/2026).

Fulham will, however, be without several key players due to injuries and international duty. Three of their Nigerian internationals — Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze — are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Rodrigo Muniz, Ryan Sessegnon, Kenny Tete, and Joshua King remain sidelined. On the positive side, Raul Jimenez has been in good form, contributing three goal involvements in his last four league appearances.

Chelsea’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Chelsea arrive at Craven Cottage after a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, a result that offered some stability following the dismissal of their previous head coach. Under interim management, the Blues showed character to come from behind, with Enzo Fernandez scoring a late equalizer. That goal marked his second consecutive league strike, taking his tally to six goals in 19 appearances this season.

The visitors have struggled for wins recently, going four league games without victory (three draws and one defeat). Nevertheless, their attacking output remains strong, averaging 1.7 goals per game while conceding 1.1. Chelsea have also been consistent scorers, finding the net in 27 of their last 28 matches and in 22 of their last 23 away fixtures. This reliability in front of goal makes them a constant threat, even when results have been inconsistent.

• Last 5 matches: 1 win, 3 draws, 1 defeat.


• Average goals scored: 1.8 | Average conceded: 1.6.


• Over 0.5 goals in the second half in 21 of their last 23 away matches.


• Last result: 1-1 vs Manchester City (04/01/2026).

Injuries continue to affect Chelsea’s squad depth, with Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, and Romeo Lavia all unavailable. Wesley Fofana is also out due to illness. Despite these absences, the Blues’ attacking options remain potent, and their recent head-to-head record against Fulham — four wins in the last five meetings — gives them confidence heading into this derby.

Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction and Tactical Overview

This West London Derby is shaping up to be a balanced and entertaining contest. Fulham have been strong at home and rarely fail to score, while Chelsea’s attacking consistency ensures they are always capable of finding the net. Both sides have shown defensive vulnerabilities, which could lead to an open game with chances at both ends.

Given the recent trends, goals in the second half appear highly likely, as both teams tend to grow into matches. Fulham’s home resilience and Chelsea’s superior attacking quality suggest a competitive encounter where neither side will want to give an inch. The Blues may hold a slight edge based on their historical dominance, but Fulham’s current momentum and home advantage could make this a close affair.

Considering the statistics and recent performances, the most probable scenario is that both teams will score. Fulham’s attacking persistence and Chelsea’s offensive reliability point toward a high-energy match with goals on both sides.

Fulham vs Chelsea prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 59% probability.