Fulham vs Crystal Palace – Predicted lineup and team news

Alvaro Arbeloa is still waiting for his first Premier League win as Fulham head coach when Crystal Palace visit Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Cottagers sit 16th after opening defeats to Chelsea and Sunderland. Arbeloa has pointed to the scale of squad turnover as a factor in his side's slow start, with six new arrivals needing time to adjust. He remains confident results will follow: "When you start a new project, new manager, with players coming in — it needs time. We need to keep improving and the results will come."

Tom Cairney remains the only player unavailable, continuing his recovery from a long-term knee injury. There is no other fresh fitness concern in the squad heading into Saturday. Deadline-day arrivals Hugo Larsson, Manuel Angel and David Affengruber are all included in the squad but not yet ready to start, with Arbeloa asking supporters to "be patient" as the trio settle in.

Shea Charles, who has impressed from the bench in both league games so far, could be handed his first Premier League start in place of Oscar Bobb, a switch that would likely see Alex Iwobi move into a wider role. Gonzalo Garcia continues to lead the line after scoring twice in his first three Fulham appearances.

Fulham possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Iwobi, King, Palacios; G Garcia

The Premier League match kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday, 5 September 2026.

The match falls under the traditional 3pm Saturday blackout and has not been selected for live television coverage in the UK.

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