Crystal Palace vs Fulham Lineups, Prediction, Team News, Injury, Preview, And Analysis

Crystal Palace vs Fulham Prediction: Fulham will likely defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park on New Year’s Day, as the Cottagers arrive with three consecutive Premier League wins while Palace struggles with five matches without victory and a poor home record against Fulham since 2019.

Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	Premier League
Date	January 1, 2026 (New Year’s Day)
Venue	Selhurst Park, London
Kick-off Time	Check local listings
Current Form	Palace: LWWLLL / Fulham: WWWLL
League Position	Palace: 9th (26 pts) / Fulham: 10th (26 pts)

Key Facts

• Crystal Palace enters this fixture without a win in five consecutive matches across all competitions, including three straight Premier League defeats.
• Fulham arrives in strong form with three consecutive top-flight victories, scoring late winners in recent matches.
• Palace has failed to beat Fulham at Selhurst Park since February 2019, remaining winless in the last four home meetings.
• Both teams sit level on 26 points but Palace holds the superior position due to goal difference.
• Fulham could achieve four consecutive Premier League away wins for the first time in club history.
• Palace has struggled on New Year’s Day historically, failing to win any of their previous six Premier League fixtures on this date.
• The Eagles have drawn a blank in three of their last five home league matches.

Crystal Palace vs Fulham Preview and Prediction

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace faces a critical test as they look to reverse their recent slump against a confident Fulham side.

The Eagles closed 2025 on a disappointing note, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at home, where Archie Gray’s first senior goal proved decisive.

This loss extended Palace’s winless streak to five matches, raising concerns about their top-four aspirations.

The South London club dominated possession against Spurs but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has gone seven games without scoring from open play, with his last goal coming from the penalty spot against Manchester United on November 30, 2025.

This attacking drought has coincided with Palace’s slide down the table, now sitting six points adrift of the Champions League positions.

Fulham manager Marco Silva has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. The Cottagers secured a crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium, with Raul Jimenez heading home a late winner.

This victory marked Fulham’s third consecutive Premier League win, a run that includes impressive performances at Burnley (3-2) and against Nottingham Forest (1-0 at home).

The visitors have discovered their away form at the perfect time. Fulham has won each of their last three league trips, with two victories coming against fellow London clubs.

Harry Wilson has been instrumental during this period, directly contributing to seven goals in his last six league appearances through three goals and four assists.

Team News and Injuries

Crystal Palace Injuries

Confirmed Absences:

• Daniel Munoz (knee injury)
• Daichi Kamada (hamstring)
• Cheick Doucoure (knee)
• Chadi Riad (knee)
• Caleb Kporha (back)
• Ismaila Sarr (on international duty with Senegal at AFCON)

Doubtful:

• Chris Richards (foot injury) – Glasner remains uncertain about his availability

Richards’ potential absence creates significant tactical challenges for Glasner.

The Austrian manager prefers a three-man backline, but without Richards, he may need to deploy midfielder Jefferson Lerma alongside Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi in defense, as he did against Tottenham.

Fulham Injuries

Confirmed Absences:

• Alex Iwobi (on international duty with Nigeria at AFCON)
• Calvin Bassey (on international duty with Nigeria at AFCON)
• Samuel Chukwueze (on international duty with Nigeria at AFCON)
• Rodrigo Muniz (recovering from hamstring surgery)
• Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring problem – could miss sixth straight match)

Despite these absences, Fulham has maintained momentum. The loss of three Nigerian internationals to AFCON represents a significant challenge, particularly Iwobi’s creativity in midfield and Bassey’s defensive solidity.

Predicted Crystal Palace vs Fulham Lineups and Formation

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Henderson

Defense: Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi

Midfield: Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell

Attacking Midfield: Pino, Nketiah

Forward: Mateta

Glasner will likely persist with his preferred three-at-the-back system, using Lerma as a makeshift defender if Richards cannot recover.

Adam Wharton and Will Hughes provide the creative engine in midfield, while Daniel Munoz’s absence forces Nathaniel Clyne into the right wing-back role.

Fulham (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Leno

Defense: Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson

Midfield: Lukic, Berge

Attacking Midfield: Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin

Forward: Jimenez

Silva will deploy his standard 4-2-3-1 formation, with the experienced Raul Jimenez leading the line.

Harry Wilson’s recent form makes him a crucial attacking outlet on the right, while Emile Smith Rowe provides creativity through the center.

Tactical Analysis

Palace’s approach centers on controlling possession through their three-man defense and wing-backs providing width.

However, their recent struggles stem from an inability to convert territorial dominance into clear chances.

The absence of Munoz removes a key attacking outlet, while Mateta’s goal drought has left them toothless up front.

Fulham operates with a balanced 4-2-3-1 that transitions quickly from defense to attack.

The double pivot of Lukic and Berge provides defensive stability, allowing the attacking trio behind Jimenez to exploit spaces.

Wilson’s movement and Smith Rowe’s passing have been particularly effective during their winning run.

The key tactical battle will occur in midfield. Palace’s Wharton and Hughes must control tempo against Fulham’s disciplined double pivot.

If Palace dominates possession but cannot break down Fulham’s organized defense, the visitors could exploit counter-attacking opportunities.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Recent meetings heavily favor Fulham. Palace won the most recent encounter 2-1 at the London Stadium on December 7, 2025, but this represents their first victory over Fulham in the last four meetings.

The Cottagers won 3-0 in the FA Cup on March 29, 2025, and secured a 2-0 league victory on February 22, 2025.

At Selhurst Park, Palace has struggled against Fulham, failing to score in their last four home meetings.

This drought dates back to February 2019, when Palace last tasted victory against the Cottagers on their own turf. The psychological barrier could weigh heavily on Glasner’s players.

The 2024-25 season has seen Fulham dominate this fixture, winning three of four meetings across all competitions. Palace’s sole victory came away from home, highlighting their struggles at Selhurst Park in this matchup.

Key Players to Watch

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace): The French striker desperately needs to rediscover his scoring touch.

His seven-game drought has coincided with Palace’s poor form. Mateta’s physical presence and aerial ability could trouble Fulham’s defense, but he must improve his finishing.

Harry Wilson (Fulham): The Welsh international has been Fulham’s most dangerous attacking player, contributing seven goals in six league appearances. His movement off the ball and ability to arrive late in the box make him a constant threat.

Raul Jimenez (Fulham): The Mexican veteran has scored in consecutive games after a five-match drought. His experience and late-game composure have proven crucial for Fulham’s recent success.

Where to Watch Live?

The match will be broadcast globally across multiple platforms. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports Premier League holds exclusive rights, with streaming available through Sky Go UK and NOW.

International viewers can access the match through various regional broadcasters, including DAZN in Canada, Peacock in the USA, and JioHotstar in India. Palace TV+ offers audio commentary for subscribers worldwide.

Current Standings

Both teams occupy mid-table positions with identical points totals. Palace sits ninth with 26 points from 18 matches (7 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses), while Fulham occupies tenth with 26 points from 18 matches (8 wins, 2 draws, 8 losses).

Palace’s superior goal difference (+1 versus -1) provides the narrow advantage. A victory for either side could lift them as high as seventh, depending on other results.

Prediction

Palace’s home struggles against Fulham and their recent form suggest a difficult afternoon ahead.

The Eagles have dominated possession in recent matches but lack the clinical finishing required to convert chances.

Fulham’s confidence and away form make them favorites despite playing at Selhurst Park.

Palace should find the net against Fulham’s defense, breaking their recent scoring drought at home.

However, Fulham’s attacking quality and Palace’s defensive vulnerabilities without key players suggest the visitors will score multiple goals.

The match should produce an entertaining encounter with both teams finding the scoresheet.

Expected Result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Fulham

Fulham’s momentum and Palace’s struggles at home in this fixture point toward an away victory.

Wilson and Jimenez possess the quality to exploit Palace’s defensive issues, while Mateta may grab a consolation goal.

This result would extend Palace’s winless run to six matches and continue their New Year’s Day misery, while Fulham would achieve a historic fourth consecutive away league victory.

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