Fulham
- Fulham, who are 15th in the Premier League on 17 points, need to start moving clear of the relegation zone and can do no worse than draw against fellow Londoners Palace in Sunday’s Premier League game at Craven Cottage. Our Fulham vs Crystal Palace betting tips suggest this fixture is pivotal for both clubs.
- Silva, who has done an excellent job at Fulham over the last two seasons, always wants intensity and structure from his team and will demand the same this weekend.
- Fulham are still very much a work in progress as Silva tries to build on the good things they did last season, but has had to address the club’s defensive frailties. The Fulham vs Crystal Palace prediction hinges on whether Silva can shore up his defense against an energetic Palace attack.
- January recruitment will be key and Harry Wilson’s set-piece ability and goals, including recent goals, are important to Silva even if the ex-Man United winger is struggling with a hamstring problem.
- They are a bit more deliberate in their build-up play than Palace, but can also overrun teams in transition with pace and directness in the half-spaces.
Palace
- Palace, who are hovering around 9th - 11th with around 20 points, would like to move up into the European places if they can and need the points more than the draw would get them, but our Fulham vs Crystal Palace betting tips caution that a draw could be the most likely result.
- Palace have won this game twice already in 2024-25, so can certainly get a result against Marco Silva’s side on Sunday.
- Palace are much more of an all-or-nothing sort of team with Oliver Glasner’s tactical blueprint, which should be well suited to this type of game, depending on how the Palace boss reacts to the loss of star winger Ismaïla Sarr.
- Sarr’s directness, pace and skill on the ball have been a key factor in Palace’s success this season and his ankle ligament injury will be a massive blow to them here.
- Glasner won the Europa League with Frankfurt and his 3-4-2-1 formation is a modern version of that side with pressing and pace out wide from the full backs.
- Palace are more about blocking and exploding on the counter-attack, which they do well with the pace and power of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was on target from the spot against Manchester United in midweek.
Head-to-Head
- Palace have beaten Fulham twice in 2024-25, both to nil, winning 3-0 in the FA Cup and 2-0 in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.
- Palace have won five of the last 13 Premier League meetings between the two, with Fulham winning three and five matches ending in draws.
Key Players
- Ismaïla Sarr - Sarr’s directness, pace and skill on the ball have been a key factor in Palace’s success this season and his ankle ligament injury will be a massive blow to them here.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta - the pace and power of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta make him a key outlet on the counter-attack.
- Harry Wilson - Wilson’s set-piece ability and goals are important to Silva even if the ex-Man United winger is struggling with a hamstring problem.
- Palace’s goalkeeping and cup-winning mentality should help them stay competitive in tight games.
Betting Insights
- Fulham are favourites to take the win at 2.73, but Palace are available at 2.78 to win and the tie is 3.45. This Fulham vs Crystal Palace betting tips section suggests keeping an eye on the draw market for value.
- The Under 2.5 goals market at 1.85 looks a solid choice for what is expected to be a low-scoring London derby.
Prediction
So 1-0 , 2-0 Fulham and 1-1 are our correct score predictions, with the visitors capable of getting a point, albeit not the three they need.
