A New Year’s Day London derby is on the horizon as Crystal Palace hosts Fulham at Selhurst Park. The Premier League clash, set for Thursday, January 1, 2026, promises a tense battle. Both teams are locked on 26 points in the league table, making this a crucial match for mid-table dominance. However, they enter the fixture in starkly different form, setting the stage for an unpredictable showdown.

A Rivalry of Fine Margins

Historically, this fixture has been incredibly tight. Across 55 competitive meetings, Fulham has a narrow lead with 19 wins to Palace’s 17, while 19 matches have ended in a draw. Recent history, however, tells a different story. Crystal Palace has won the last three encounters, including a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage in December 2025.

Despite this, Selhurst Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Eagles against Fulham lately. Palace is currently winless in their last four home games against the Cottagers. This surprising statistic adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming game.

Contrasting Fortunes: Form Guide

The two clubs could not be in more different veins of form. Crystal Palace is struggling, having lost its last three matches, including a 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham. Their recent home form is a major concern for manager Oliver Glasner, as the team looks to halt its slide.

In stark contrast, Fulham is flying high. They arrive at Selhurst Park on the back of three consecutive Premier League victories. Their latest triumph was a hard-fought 1-0 away win against West Ham. Consequently, Fulham is aiming for a remarkable fourth straight top-flight win on the road, a potential club first.

Team News from the Camps

Both managers have selection headaches to consider, though for different reasons. Absences could play a key role in the match’s outcome.

Crystal Palace:

• The Eagles are waiting on a fitness update for defender Chris Richards.
• Jefferson Lerma is on standby to fill in if Richards is unavailable.
• Eddie Nketiah might be in line for a start after appearing from the bench against Spurs.

Fulham:

• The team is significantly impacted by the Africa Cup of Nations. Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze are all away on international duty.
• Rodrigo Muniz remains sidelined with an injury.
• On a positive note, Antonee Robinson is expected to return to the starting lineup after his recovery.

A New Year’s Day Conclusion

This London derby presents a classic clash of home advantage versus red-hot form. Crystal Palace, backed by the Selhurst Park faithful, will be desperate to end their losing streak. Conversely, Fulham’s confidence is soaring, and they have a strong recent record at this very ground.  With both teams level on points, the result will have significant implications for the Premier League table as we head into 2026.