Chelsea XI vs Fulham: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Blues again missing Cole Palmer for west London derby clash at Stamford Bridge

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Chelsea will again be without star man Cole Palmer when they host west London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Palmer was set to start last Friday’s 5-1 win over West Ham, only to be withdrawn minutes before the game after pulling up in the pre-match warm-up.

Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, revealed after the win over West Ham that Palmer played through groin pain in the goalless home draw with Crystal Palace on opening weekend.

Speaking on Friday, Maresca said Palmer would not face Fulham and that his recovery would be taken “day by day”.

Romeo Lavia remains unavailable but there is some hope within the club that the Belgian midfielder can return after the international break.

“Cole, we need to see day by day,” Maresca said. “[Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile] I don't think will be back until after the international break.”

In attack, Maresca will be pondering whether to select Joao Pedro or Liam Delap up front. He could be tempted to repeat the trick he used at West Ham and deploy Delap as a striker and Joao Pedro as a No10.

In defence, there is a choice to be made between Reece James and Malo Gusto at right-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah expected to continue in the middle.

Nicolas Jackson will not be in the squad as he is expected to leave Chelsea before Monday night’s transfer deadline, while Christopher Nkunku will also have no involvement as he closes in on a move to AC Milan.

Levi Colwill remains sidelined and is set to miss the majority of the season due to a serious knee injury.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-1-4-1): Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Fernandez, Pedro Neto; Delap

Injured: Palmer, Badiashile, Lavia, Colwill

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 12:30pm BST on Saturday August 30, 2025

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

How to watch: TNT Sports