The third of four straight all-capital clashes on the Chelsea fixture calendar, the Blues battle West London derby rivals Fulham in Saturday's early Premier League kickoff.
Enzo Maresca's merciless men roared to a 5-1 demolition of West Ham United in gameweek two after going a goal behind, while the Cottagers played out their second successive 1-1 draw, this time at home to Manchester United.
Match preview
For about 20 minutes on the evening of August 22, doom and gloom reared its ugly head for Chelsea, who lost Cole Palmer to a pre-game injury before kickoff against West Ham and then fell behind to a Lucas Paqueta special shortly after the first whistle blew.
However, the London Stadium was soon silenced by a ruthless Blues turnaround, triggered by Joao Pedro's first Premier League goal for the club before Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah all got in on the act in front of a forlorn Graham Potter.
An evening that started with dejection ended in unbridled delight for the Chelsea faithful, who also witnessed a history-making moment from teenage winger Estevao Willian, who at 18 years and 120 days became the youngest player to claim a Premier League assist for the Blues when he squared for Fernandez to tap home.
Including their successful Club World Cup run, Maresca's men have now claimed an eye-catching 10 victories from their last 12 matches in all tournaments, and their feats at West Ham meant that the memories of their blunt attacking display versus Crystal Palace were quickly banished.
Furthermore, not since the 2002-03 season have Chelsea failed to win both of their first two home games of a Premier League season, and they have never failed to score in their first two home games of the campaign in the Premier League era, last suffering that fate in 1986.
Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe and Antonee Robinson celebrate on August 24, 2025
Also putting an unbeaten 2025-26 record on the line, Fulham ought to have felt that justice was served in Sunday's showdown with Man United, who controversially took the lead through a Rodrigo Muniz own goal after Leny Yoro appeared to commit a blatant two-handed push from the corner.
The Craven Cottage faithful had already been aggrieved by the awarding of a first-half penalty for Calvin Bassey pulling down Mason Mount, but Bruno Fernandes's wild miss proved costly for Man United, as super sub Emile Smith Rowe levelled matters with his first touch.
It was not quite Brighton & Hove Albion levels of drama - where Marco Silva's men equalised right at the death - but Fulham were more than worthy for their share of the spoils and gave the Red Devils several further scares, most notably from corners as they sought to expose Altay Bayindir's frailties time and time again.
Carrying that momentum forward into the EFL Cup, Fulham eased to a 2-0 second-round win over Bristol City in midweek - thus earning a third-round date with Cambridge United - but the less said about their defensive record on the road the better.
Indeed, Silva's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last nine Premier League games away from home, and while they did stun Chelsea 2-1 in this exact fixture on Boxing Day last year, they have never claimed back-to-back wins at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Premier League form:
Fulham Premier League form:
Team News
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer in August 2025.
Following Palmer's enforced withdrawal last Friday, Maresca explained that the England international had been dealing with a groin concern for a few days, and the issue flared up in the warm-up at the London Stadium.
Fans are still waiting to hear the official diagnosis, but it would be a surprise to see him cleared for action on Saturday, so Pedro can expect to work in tandem with Liam Delap up front once again.
Levi Colwill (ACL), Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Romeo Lavia (unspecified) and Omari Kellyman (thigh) are also absent for the hosts, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is still serving his lengthy suspension for alleged anti-doping offences.
In contrast, Fulham could come into the lunchtime derby with a completely clean bill of health; Harry Wilson is the only minor doubt after an enforced substitution in the midweek win over Bristol City.
Veteran striker Raul Jimenez was the catalyst behind the Cottagers' success in the EFL Cup, forcing an own goal from George Tanner before firing in a brilliant low drive from a Harrison Reed corner later in the first half.
However, the Mexico international will almost certainly cede his place up front to Rodrigo Muniz, scorer of the late winner at Stamford Bridge back in December.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Pedro, Neto; Delap
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, King, Smith Rowe; Muniz
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We say: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
Fulham may have left Stamford Bridge shell-shocked last season, but Chelsea have still only lost 8.3% of their Premier League clashes with the Cottagers, the joint-lowest percentage between two sides who have met at least 20 times in the competition.
Maresca's men ought to find it harder to break down their visitors than they did at West Ham, but the title outsiders should still have no trouble marching to a professional victory.
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