LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Fulham Football Club signage seen on the main stand at Craven Cottage with the skyline of London in the background ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.
(Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Getty ImagesWelcome to the first day of the rest of our lives … or at least the first day of the new Premier League season!
We begin our journey with a short drip down to the river, to play Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Xabi Alonso has made a couple surprising choices for his first starting lineup, presumably enforced, especially in midfield were Moisés Caicedo is missing.
Marco Palestra is also missing in action after some fitness issues over the past few days.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Fulham Football Club signage seen on the main stand at Craven Cottage with the skyline of London in the background ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Getty Images
Welcome to the first day of the rest of our lives … or at least the first day of the new Premier League season! We begin our journey with a short drip down to the river, to play Fulham at Craven Cottage. It’s a West London Derby, so act accordingly (i.e. be nice).
Xabi Alonso has made a couple surprising choices for his first starting lineup, presumably enforced, especially in midfield were Moisés Caicedo is missing. In fact, Moi’s completely out of the matchday squad, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious. Marco Palestra is also missing in action after some fitness issues over the past few days.
Here we go!
Fulham starting XI:
Leno | Castagne, Bassey (c), Cuenca, Robinson, Berge, Iwobi, King, Bobb, Gonzalo, Palacios
Substitutes from: Lecomte, Tete, Reed, Muniz, Kevin, Charles, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, De Fougerolles
Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3):
Sánchez | Colwill, Lacroix, Acheampong | Hato, Lavia, James (c), Gusto | Rogers, Palmer | João Pedro
Substitutes from: Penders, Chavarría, Barco, Enzo, Estêvão, Gittens, Neto, Quenda, Welbeck
Date / Time: Monday, August 24, 2026, 20.00 BST; 3pm EDT; 12:30am IST (next day)
Venue: Craven Cottage, SW6
Referee: John Brooks (on pitch); Darren England (VAR)
Forecast: Nice and warm
On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); USA, Universo (USA); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); SuperSport Premier League
Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!
