Chelsea and Fulham kick off the weekend action in a Premier League west London derby this afternoon.
After a false start against Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the season, the Blues dominated West Ham in east London last week, putting five passed the the beleaguered Hammers.
They did it without Cole Palmer that evening with the Chelsea talisman set to miss out again today as he recovers from a groin problem.
Fulham are the only side still to make a signing this summer much to the frustration of Marco Silva, whose side have picked up draws in their opening two matches of the season.
They held Manchester United to a draw at Craven Cottage last time out.
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August 30, 2025 11:48 am
The story so far for Chelsea
Tony Mogan
A goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace fuelled talk of a Club World Cup ‘hangover’ on the opening weekend of the season. Chelsea did look flat and devoid of ideas that afternoon but that all changed against West Ham.
They did need to go a goal behind to spark into life but their new-look attack was in rampant form in east London with Estevao Willian shining on his full debut.
August 30, 2025 11:39 am
Garnacho in attendance today
Tony Mogan
Alejandro Garnacho will be watching his new team on from the stands today,
The Argentina international was at Cobham finalising his move on Friday after a £40million deal was finally agreed with United.
August 30, 2025 11:33 am
Why is Cole Palmer not playing today?
Tony Mogan
‘Cole is out. We need to see day by day.’
That’s what Enzo Maresca had to say on the Chelsea no10 on Friday. A groin problem ensured he was not selected in the England squad yesterday so it was always unlikely he would be involved today.
August 30, 2025 11:28 am
Smith Rowe on Fulham bench
Tony Mogan
Marco Silva has also declined to make any changes to his team, sticking to the same XI that held Manchester United to a draw last time out.
It means Emile Smith Rowe once again starts among the subs.
August 30, 2025 11:23 am
Chelsea unchanged from West Ham
Tony Mogan
With Cole Palmer still not fit, Enzo Maresca sticks with the same side that trounced West Ham United last time out.
Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both start with Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto occupying the wings.
August 30, 2025 11:19 am
Confirmed Fulham XI to face Chelsea
Tony Mogan
Leno, Castagne, Tete, Andersen, Sessegnon, Berge, Lukic, King, Iwobi, Muniz
Subs: Lecomte, Cuenca, Robinson, Reed, Cairney, Wilson, Adama, Smith Rowe, Jimenez
August 30, 2025 11:16 am
Confirmed Chelsea XI to face Fulham
Tony Mogan
Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto, Delap
Subs: Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Fofana, James, Hato, Essugo, Santos, George, Gittens
August 30, 2025 11:13 am
Predicted Chelsea XI today
Tony Mogan
Enzo Maresca will be very tempted to keep the same side that cruised past West Ham last time out.
August 30, 2025 11:09 am
Chelsea team news
Tony Mogan
Cole Palmer is not expected to be involved for Chelsea today.
Palmer pulled out of the Blues starting XI shortly before kick-off last Friday against West Ham United with a groin problem.
Palmer did not train with the rest of the Chelsea squad this week and was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace - Premier League
(Picture: Getty)
Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday his star man is not available this weekend.
Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia remain out injured along with Levi Colwill who is expected to miss the majority of the season after his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
August 30, 2025 11:05 am
Chelsea vs Fulham kick-off time
Tony Mogan
We are underway at 12:30pm this afternoon.
August 30, 2025 11:03 am
Chelsea vs Fulham TV channel and live stream
Tony Mogan
We will bring you every kick of the ball this afternoon. But you can also watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app
August 30, 2025 11:01 am
Good morning!
Tony Mogan
Unbelievably, we are already staring down the barrel of an international break.
But don’t fret, there is a stacked weekend of action to get through first, starting right here with a tasty west London derby at Stamford Bridge.
All your team news and build-up is on the way.
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