Fulham x Chelsea lineup for game at Craven Cottage this Wednesday: where to watch live

Fulham and Chelsea face each other this Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the 21st round of Premier League, at the Craven Cottage stadium, in Londres. The game is scheduled for 7:30 pm local time (4:30 pm Brasília time), broadcast live on Brasil via ESPN 4 channels and the streaming platform Disney+. The lineups were confirmed hours before kick-off, highlighting different strategies from coaches Marco Silva and Calum McFarlane.

Fulham occupies 11th place in the table, with 28 points accumulated, while Chelsea is in 5th place, with 31 points. Ambas the teams seek recovery after recent irregular results, in a London classic that promises balance. The match features Peter Bankes refereeing, known for a moderate card average.

Line-ups confirmed for the clash

Fulham enters the field in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal and a defense made up of Issa Diop, Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca. In the middle, Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson play on the sides, with Sander Berge and Tom Cairney (captain) in the center. Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe support the attack, alongside Raúl Jiménez as a reference.

Chelsea adopts 4-2-3-1, with Robert Sánchez in goal and a defensive line formed by Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella. André Santos and Moisés Caicedo anchor the midfield, while Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández (captain) and Pedro Neto create the plays for the center forward Essas formations reflect tactical adjustments to exploit opponent weaknesses.

• Goalkeepers: Leno (Fulham) x Sánchez (Chelsea)
• Main defenses: Andersen and Diop (Fulham) x Adarabioyo and Chalobah (Chelsea)
• Key midfield: Berge and Cairney (Fulham) x Caicedo and Fernández (Chelsea)
• Attack: Jiménez (Fulham) x Delap (Chelsea)

Absences and substitutions available

Fulham deals with several key casualties, including Kenny Tete, Joshua King, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Essas absences force Marco Silva to improvise in defensive and offensive sectors. On the bench, options like Harrison Reed, Saša Lukić and Adama Traoré can come in to change the pace of the match.

For Chelsea, Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended, while Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo and Roméo Lavia are out due to knee and thigh injuries. Coach Calum McFarlane counts on reserves such as Reece James, Wesley Fofana and the young Estêvão to reinforce the team during the game. Essas absences directly impact the depth of the squads in an intense confrontation.

The recent history favors Chelsea, which remains undefeated in most of the duels against Fulham. However, field command can balance the forces in Craven Cottage.

Where to watch the match live

On Brasil, the transmission is carried out by ESPN 4 on closed TV and Disney+ on streaming, allowing complete monitoring with narration and specialized comments. Coverage starts minutes before kick-off, with pre-game analysis and real-time statistics. Plataformas officials from Premier League also offer updates for those who do not access paid channels.

Internationally, the game is shown by local rights holders such as Sky Sports on Reino Unido. Aplicativos like Sofascore provide live score, ball possession, shots and other detailed data. Essa accessibility makes it easier to follow one of Londres’s most traditional classics globally.

Featured players and recent performance

Harry Wilson stands out for Fulham with a good performance in the last game, competing in attributes such as attack and creation with Enzo Fernández, one of the leaders of Chelsea. Emile Smith Rowe and Raúl Jiménez are fundamental pieces in the home team’s offensive sector, seeking to exploit quick counterattacks. Pelo visiting side, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto represent constant threats due to individual skill.

Chelsea arrives in need of victory to maintain its position at the top of the table, after a sequence without triumphs in some rounds. Fulham, in turn, aims for points at home to move up the standings and move away from the intermediate zone. Estatísticas show balance in recent duels, with a moderate goal average.

Context of the round at Premier League

This 21st round marks the beginning of the intense 2026 calendar in the English league, with teams adjusting strategies for the remainder of the season. Craven Cottage receives full capacity, creating a favorable atmosphere for Fulham at local night games. Premier League maintains high competitiveness, with Chelsea fighting for European places and Fulham consolidating stability.

Ball possession and individual duels should set the pace, according to data from previous clashes. Treinadores emphasize tactical discipline to avoid mistakes in transition.

Head-to-head history

Fulham and Chelsea have already faced each other once this season, with a historic advantage for Blues in duels in Craven Cottage. Chelsea have won their last few head-to-head meetings, but Fulham have shown resilience at home recently. Esses numbers add pressure to the principal to break the negative sequence.

The match is part of the tradition of London derbies, known for their intensity and unpredictability. Neutral Arbitragem contributes to fair game flow.

Tactical expectations and game keys

Marco Silva prioritizes defensive solidity with three defenders, while Chelsea bets on quick transitions through the middle with Palmer and Controles in midfield by Berge and Caicedo will be decisive in dominating actions. Laterais assets like Robinson and Gusto can unbalance at the ends.

Substitutions in the second half will influence the final result, especially with qualified benches. The average number of cards of Peter Bankes suggests a close but controlled match.