Crystal Palace host london rivals Fulham in their first game of 2026. Both Clubs will aim to get a win to start their campaigns for the second half of the season.
It is three consecutive losses for the Eagles in the Premier League. A poor record for what has been a consistently good side under Oliver Glasner. They lost last time out to another team in London, Tottenham. A goal from a set piece being the cause of their undoing.
In the Carabao Cup Palace were defeated by Tottenham's North London rivals, Arsenal. This makes it five games without a win for Palace as they drew their Europa League match against KuPS.
Palace will be confident against Fulham though, as they are the opponents they most recently beat earlier in the month. Traveling to Craven Cottage and winning thanks to a late goal from Marc Guehi.
Fulham have actually exploded in form since the loss against Palace earlier this month and could be seeing revenge against The Eagles.
It has been three consecutive wins in the league for Fulham. However all three of the sides played are in the bottom four. Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham. Still The Cottagers have done well to maximise the opportunity when playing against weaker opposition.
Fulham's most recent match was against struggling West Ham. Whilst not a pretty performance from the Whites they were able to walk out with the three points thanks to a late goal from Raúl Jiménez.
Crystal Palace have won the last three games the two sides have played against one another. A run that started in February of this year with Palace going to Craven Cottage and leaving with a 0-2 win.
The last time Fulham were able to get the better of the Eagles was in November of 2024. The Cottagers were the traveling side this time themselves actually managing to secure a 0-2 win.
This is set to be a tight game, with Palace having the psychological edge having beaten Fulham so recently. The Cottagers are in good form though and may seek to exploit Palace's lack of ability to put the ball into the net in recent game. Either way it will be a season deciding game for boths clubs as they look to set off the New Year.
