Crystal Palace hosts Fulham in an anticipated London derby on this weekend at Selhurst Park. With both teams aiming to climb the Premier League table, Palace looks to overcome recent setbacks, while Fulham enters the match with momentum from a win over Brentford.
Crystal Palace Recent Form
Palace has had a mixed start, having secured a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Tottenham but struggled with inconsistency, evident in their 2-2 draw with Wolves where they were denied a late win by VAR.
Despite these ups and downs, Palace has shown potential, especially after advancing to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a win over Aston Villa.
Injury and Team News
Palace faces a notable injury crisis. Key playmaker Eberechi Eze is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Adam Wharton is undergoing surgery for a groin injury.
Defenders Chris Richards and Joel Ward may make returns, but midfielder Will Hughes is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca are also unavailable, adding further strain on Palace's squad.
Last Crystal Palace Lineup
Here is how Crystal Palace lined up for their previous Premier League match:
Fulham Recent Form
Fulham has enjoyed a strong week, lifting spirits with a 2-1 win over Brentford, where Harry Wilson’s brace sealed the victory. They now sit in ninth place and look well-prepared to take advantage of a weakened Palace lineup in another challenging London matchup.
Injury and Team News
Fulham has its own injury concerns, with Sasa Lukic out with a shoulder injury. However, their squad remains relatively stable, allowing manager Marco Silva more flexibility in selection as he targets consecutive wins.
Last Fulham Lineup
Here is how Fulham lined up for their last game:
Crystal Palace vs Fulham - Who is the Referee and VAR?
The officiating team for this match includes:
Referee: Michael Salisbury.
Assistants: Simon Long, Marc Perry.
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Graham Scott.
Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan.
Crystal Palace Player to Watch
Jean-Philippe Mateta remains key for Palace’s attack, especially with Eze unavailable. The forward’s ability to create space will be essential to unlock Fulham's defence.
Fulham Player to Watch
Harry Wilson’s performance against Brentford underlined his influence, and his creative prowess will be a key asset as Fulham attempts to exploit Palace’s defensive gaps.
Prediction
While Palace benefits from home support, their injury struggles make Fulham slight favourites. With Palace’s thin squad and Fulham's recent win, Fulham may edge a close game.
Our Prediction: Fulham to win 2-1
Betting Tips
Tip 1
Fulham to Win: With Palace's weakened lineup, Fulham’s recent form makes them a good option.
Tip 2
Both Teams to Score: Despite injuries, Palace has managed goals in recent games.
Tip 3
Harry Wilson to Score Anytime: Given his recent form, Wilson presents a strong goal-scoring option.
