A south London derby opens the Saturday 14:00 cluster as Fulham host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on 5 September 2026. Fulham drew 1–1 at Sunderland in GW2; Palace lost 1–2 at Manchester City.
Fulham: form after GW2
Marco Silva's Fulham use width through Smith Rowe and Iwobi, with Muniz leading the line. Robinson offers attacking full-back returns; Craven Cottage derbies favour the home side's intensity.
Fulham Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-2-3-1
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Crystal Palace: form after GW2
Oliver Glasner's Palace need a response after the Etihad defeat. Mateta and Sarr lead the line; Wharton and Hughes anchor midfield. Henderson offers save potential if Fulham dominate possession.
Where this one gets decided
Fulham's technical possession vs Palace's counter through Sarr and Mateta — set pieces from Smith Rowe and McNeil could decide a tight derby.
How these two have met before
The last five south London derbies averaged 2.4 goals; Fulham unbeaten in three at the Cottage against Palace.
Fantasy picks for this match
- Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham, MID): set pieces and creativity at home.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Palace, FWD): primary goal threat on the break.
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham, DEF): attacking full-back in a derby.
- Ismaïla Sarr (Palace, FWD): pace against Fulham's high line.
- Predictor: Fulham 2–1 Crystal Palace.
My prediction
Home advantage in a fiery derby. Prediction: Fulham 2–1 Crystal Palace.