Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of the Fulham vs Crystal Palace clash in the Carabao Cup.
Palace travel to West London as they try to overturn their recent struggles and ease the pressure off manager Pierre Sage, who could be sacked if the Eagles lose to Spurs on the weekend.
Fulham have turned a corner since a disappointing start to the season and go into this London derby off the back of two wins in a row.
The Eagles do have a superb record at Craven Cottage, however, having won the last four clashes in all competitions and not tasted defeat away at Fulham since 2005.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace: Predicted Lineups and Team News
Date: October 28, 2026
Venue: Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Last meeting: Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace (5th September 2026, Premier League)
Referee: Simon Hooper
Odds: Fulham 4/6, Crystal Palace 3/1, draw 13/5.
Fulham Team News
Fulham struggled at the start of the season under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, as they lost their opening three Premier League games, but have since won back-to-back games against Hull and Coventry, respectively.
Manager Arbeloa put out a weakened squad in the first two rounds of the Carabao Cup, against Wimbledon and West Ham, but the Spaniard outlined his intentions to go strong against Palace.
“I expect to put the strongest team possible tomorrow, I am thinking about winning this game, only thinking about that,” stated Arbeloa in his pre-match press conference.
Left-back Ryan Sessegnon will definitely miss out, as he serves a three-match suspension, and Emile Smith Rowe could miss out again after being left out of the matchday squad for the trip to Coventry.
Ex-Palace man Joachim Andersen is expected to start against his former club, which would be his first start since the Carabao Cup win over West Ham.
Fulham will fancy their chances at Craven Cottage against a Palace side that have shipped 12 goals in the last four matches in all competitions.
Crystal Palace Team News
Palace manager Pierre Sage is on thin ice with the Palace board, and another disappointing defeat could lead to the first Premier League sacking of the season.
A bright performance at Besiktas last week was followed by a lacklustre defeat to Newcastle on the weekend, and Sage outlined that consistency was needed from his South London side.
“It’s about creating the habits between the players and the concentration to keep in mind what we have to do in each moment of the play,” highlighted Sage.
However, Sage does have some positive news ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Fulham, with captain Dean Henderson returning from an ankle injury.
“I think he will play on Wednesday, Ismaila Sarr is difficult because his groin is making him struggle and we will see about Jorgen Strand Larsen,” stated Sage.
Ben Chilwell scored the winner in the league clash at Craven Cottage last month and could start on Wednesday to allow Tyrick Mitchell a rest, having started every game in the league so far this season.
Chilean international Dario Osorio came off the bench on Sunday and was a rare bright spark for the Eagles, and his performance should be enough to secure a second Carabao Cup start.
Fulham Predicted Lineup
Lecomte
Tete
Andersen
Affengruber
Robinson
Charles
Berge
Kevin
King
Bobb
Garcia
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup
Henderson
Mingueza
Richards
Ahanor
Lerma
Chilwell
Wharton
Hughes
Pino
Osorio
Nketiah
The Last Word: Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Fulham have picked up in recent weeks after a difficult start, while Palace are moving in the opposite direction with manager Pierre Sage under pressure.
Palace’s defence seems unsettled, and Fulham should have the quality to capitalise on a defence that has kept just three clean sheets in their twelve competitive games this season.
Due to Palace competing in the Europa League as well, a rotated side could be put out, and Arbeloa seems intent on putting out a Fulham side that should have the quality to exploit a struggling Palace unit.
Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Crystal Palace
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