Fulham FC begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a West London Derby against Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24. The match kicks off at 20:00 BST and sees the Cottagers looking to improve on their current league standing of 12th, having taken 0 points from their first game.
Marco Silva has selected Bernd Leno in goal for the season opener. The defensive line consists of Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey, Alejandro Cuenca, and Antonee Robinson, with Bassey wearing the captain's armband. The midfield trio is Sander Berge, Alex Iwobi, and Joshua King. Oscar Bobb, Gonzalo, and Palacios lead the attack from the start. The bench includes options like Lecomte, Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed, Rodrigo Muniz, and Emile Smith Rowe. The team will also be without the currently sidelined Tom Cairney and Luc De Fougerolles.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has named his first competitive starting lineup, and it contains several talking points. The Blues will line up in a 3-4-3 formation with Robert Sánchez in goal. Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, and Jeremiah Acheampong form a back three, with wing-backs Quilindschy Hato and Malo Gusto providing width. The midfield pair is Romeo Lavia and captain Reece James. The front three features Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and João Pedro. Key midfielder Moisés Caicedo is a notable omission from the matchday squad, with hopes his absence is not serious. Marco Palestra is also missing due to recent fitness issues.
The match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the United Kingdom, with streaming available via Sky Go. For viewers in the United States, the game is on USA Network and Universo, with a live stream on Telemundo Deportes En Vivo. In India, coverage is on Star Sports Select HD1 and JioHotstar. SuperSport Premier League and DStv Now are carrying the match for viewers in Nigeria. The weather at Craven Cottage is forecast to be nice and warm for the evening kickoff. John Brooks is the appointed referee, with Darren England on VAR duties.
This derby arrives with Fulham seeking their first points after an opening-day loss. The club has scored 2 goals but conceded 3, leaving them with a -1 goal difference early in the season. They already find themselves 6 points behind early leaders Manchester City in the title race. The immediate focus after this match shifts to a quick turnaround, with an away fixture against Sunderland scheduled for August 30. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures and standings pages. The report from Yahoo Sports welcomed readers with: "Welcome to the first day of the rest of our lives … or at least the first day of the new Premier League season!"
The result of this derby will shape the mood heading into a busy period. A positive performance against a rival could provide momentum for the trip to face 13th-placed Sunderland. The team's early defensive record will be a concern that needs addressing. With the transfer window still open, performances in these initial games can influence decisions. The club's full squad for the 2026/27 season is taking shape, and these early tests are vital for establishing a rhythm. The report's final sign-off was a simple: "Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!"
