Fulham welcome Crystal Palace to Craven Cottage for a London derby where Oliver Glasner has turned Palace into genuine top-five contenders.
The hosts come into the game on the back of a wild 5–4 home defeat to Manchester City in midweek, a match in which they fell 3–0 behind but fought back to push the champions all the way. That result ended a run of three wins in four league games – a sequence that included a 3–0 home victory over Wolves, a 1–0 success against Sunderland at Craven Cottage, and a 2–1 away win at Tottenham. Across 25 league matches Fulham have collected 39 points (10 wins, 9 draws, 6 defeats) – their best top-flight return at this stage since 1959–60.
Crystal Palace arrive with a very different recent pattern: hugely impressive away, more fragile at home. Glasner’s side have won four of their last six games on the road in all competitions by the same 2–0 scoreline, but have lost their last two home matches 2–1, most recently against Everton. Overall, Palace are unbeaten in six of their last eight matches and have put themselves firmly in the conversation for a top-five finish this season, following last year’s FA Cup win under Glasner.
The head-to-head adds another layer. Fulham won 2–0 at Selhurst Park earlier in the season and are now aiming to complete a first league double over Palace since the 2000–01 campaign in the second tier. Palace, however, can point to an impressive recent league record at Craven Cottage, where they are unbeaten in their last five visits (two wins, three draws).
Silva’s side will lean heavily on their home strengths. Fulham have built a reputation this season for front-foot football at the Cottage, with a strong record in London derbies: they are unbeaten in their last seven such matches at home (four wins, three draws), even if their most recent capital clash – a 3–2 defeat at West Ham – showed they can be vulnerable in chaotic games. The balance between attacking ambition and defensive control will be crucial after conceding five to City.
Palace’s confidence stems from their structure and flexibility under Glasner. They have been difficult to beat for most of the campaign and have travelled particularly well, using disciplined defensive work and sharp transitions to good effect. Their away sequence this season includes notable wins at West Ham, Leicester and Newcastle last term and a string of clean sheets on the road more recently, underlining how comfortable they are playing in tight, controlled games away from Selhurst Park.
On the touchline, there is clarity and continuity. Marco Silva, freshly highlighted by Fulham for another Manager of the Month nomination, remains the architect of the Cottagers’ resurgence, while Oliver Glasner’s work at Palace has been strong enough to attract interest from major clubs elsewhere in Europe, prompting Palace to open contract talks with him.
All of that sets up an intriguing tactical contrast: Fulham seeking to dictate at home, extend a strong London-derby run and close the gap to the European places; Palace looking to lean on their away resilience, protect an excellent run on the road and keep their top-five ambitions alive. With both clubs in good overall health and recent form to back their ambitions, Craven Cottage should be set for a high-quality, finely poised derby.
