Fulham will host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening in the Premier League in what promises to be a thrilling London derby.
The Cottagers are enjoying another strong season under Marco Silva, having secured a 2-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend. Currently sitting eighth in the table, they are pushing hard for European qualification.
Meanwhile, the Eagles suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Everton, halting the momentum Oliver Glasner’s side had been building. Glasner’s men will be eager to bounce back, and there’s no better way to do so than by winning a London derby.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace – Team News
Sasa Lukic came off with an injury against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Marco Silva played down fears of it being a serious injury, although the defensive midfielder remains a doubt to face Crystal Palace.
🥶#CPFC pic.twitter.com/BWJSLkWMV6
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 20, 2025
As for Crystal Palace, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are all long-term injuries. Joel Ward’s return from a calf problem remains unknown.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace – Predicted Lineups
Predicted Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Andreas Pereira, Sander Berge; Adama Traore, Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi; Raul Jimenez
Predicted Crystal Palace XI (3-4-2-1): Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Tyrick Mitchell; Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze
Fulham vs Crystal Palace – Key Players
Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe is playing some of the best football of his career at Fulham. Following his summer move from Arsenal, the diminutive Englishman has brought the creative spark and guile the Cottagers lacked at times last season, helping to unlock well-drilled defenses. After scoring against Forest last weekend, he will be confident of adding another against the Eagles.
Eyes on the ⚽️. pic.twitter.com/mY7FqVTPnb
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 20, 2025
Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta
From being a castaway to becoming a lethal goalscorer under Glasner, Jean-Philippe Mateta continues to quietly do his job for Palace. With his goal in the 2-1 defeat to Everton, the Frenchman took his league tally to 11 for the season. Having scored seven times in his last six league appearances, Mateta will be eager to find the net again at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace
