Craven Cottage has not been a happy hunting ground for the Eagles this century, but with Fulham stumbling out of the blocks, Pierre Sage’s side face a golden opportunity to rewrite history on the banks of the Thames.
The Story So Far
Crystal Palace arrive in west London desperate to kickstart their Premier League campaign after a testing opening fortnight. Pierre Sage’s side sit 18th in the table following a 2-0 defeat to Everton and a tough 4-1 dismantling at home by Manchester City. With an EFL Cup tie against Middlesbrough and a Europa League opener against Lech Poznan looming large this month, getting points on the board today is vital to build some much-needed momentum.
Hosts Fulham are only one spot and one point better off in 16th under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Marco Silva in the summer. The Cottagers have opened with losses to Chelsea (3-2) and Sunderland (1-0), either side of a 3-0 EFL Cup win over AFC Wimbledon. With daunting fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United waiting just around the corner, the pressure is firmly on Arbeloa to secure his first league win.
Palace Team News and Deadline Day Boosts
Sage has a few notable absentees to contend with as he shapes his matchday squad. Jean-Philippe Mateta is sidelined for around three weeks with a hamstring injury, while Ismaila Sarr and long-term absentee Chadi Riad remain out.
However, the squad has been heavily reinforced following a busy deadline day. New arrivals Ben Chilwell, Quinten Timber, Honest Ahanor, and Dario Osorio are all available for selection, though Sage is expected to ease them in rather than throw them straight into the starting XI. Midfield metronome Adam Wharton, who successfully fended off summer transfer interest to stay at Selhurst Park, anchors the center of the pitch once again.
Inside the Fulham Camp
Arbeloa is dealing with his own selection posers, though Tom Cairney is his only definite absentee due to a long-term knee injury. Like Palace, Fulham added heavily on deadline day by bringing in midfielders Hugo Larsson and Manuel Angel alongside defender David Affengruber. Arbeloa has urged fans to “be patient” with the new trio, making them unlikely to start. Shea Charles is pushing for a recall in place of Oscar Bobb, while Gonzalo Garcia leads the line after netting twice in his first three appearances.
Head-to-Head History
If history is anything to go by, travelling Eagles fans have every right to feel confident this afternoon. Crystal Palace have not lost a league match at Craven Cottage since January 2005. Furthermore, Palace have won their last three trips to Fulham across all competitions, most recently grinding out a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park back in January.
Predicted Xl’s
Fulham predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Iwobi, King, Palacios; G Garcia
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Tomiyasu; Khalaili, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; McNeil, Larsen, Pino
