Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Crystal Palace and Fulham are level in points (26) in the Premier League table, but their recent Premier League 2025 results couldn’t be any more different heading into Matchday 19. These two teams will square off at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening, where one of them can make inroads towards the European football berths.
The Eagles started December well with back-to-back league wins over Burnley (1-0) and Fulham (2-1), but have lost three straight against Manchester City (3-0), Leeds United (4-1), and Tottenham (1-0). Crystal Palace also bowed out of the EFL Cup quarter-finals after losing to Arsenal in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
Meanwhile, the Cottagers have strung together three wins on the bounce against Burnley (3-2), Nottingham Forest (1-0), and West Ham United (1-0) after opening the month with back-to-back losses. Fulham will use this opportunity to exact some revenge against Crystal Palace.
Talking Points
Crystal Palace’s squad is stretched too thin
Head coach Oliver Glasner admitted Crystal Palace will need reinforcements in the winter transfer window, following their 1-0 loss against Tottenham yesterday. The Eagles have been without one of their most dynamic attackers in Ismaila Sarr, who’s with Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations. They were also without Chris Richards, who missed the game due to a foot injury he sustained against Arsenal in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Richards has been one of the Eagles’ most underrated players this season. The 25-year-old centre-back has made 25 appearances in all competitions this season. Based on Glasner’s recent comments, Richards could be out again this Thursday, and Jefferson Lerma could draw yet another start alongside Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.
With Sarr out, Crystal Palace have replaced him with Justin Devenny in the starting XI. But the 22-year-old didn’t offer much in the final third against Spurs, and Romain Esse, another raw prospect, eventually replaced him. Their bench mob against Tottenham was filled mostly with academy youngsters, and this could be the case again on Thursday.
Crystal Palace have also missed the services of wing-back Daniel Munoz, who recently had surgery to address the knee injury he sustained against Fulham.
Jimenez shows clutch gene for Fulham
Fulham are one of the most affected teams by the Africa Cup of Nations, as they are without Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Calvin Bassey – who are all representing Nigeria in the continental tournament. But the Cottagers are coping well thus far, thanks to the heroics of Raul Jimenez, who hit the matchwinners against Nottingham Forest and West Ham United to take his tally to four league goals this term.
With his goal at the London Stadium, Jimenez has reached 115 goals in Europe, just 12 shy of the record 127 goals scored by Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. If he keeps this up, Jimenez is poised to surpass his compatriot this season.
Besides their AFCON-bound stars, Fulham are also without Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz against Crystal Palace.
History
Crystal Palace won 2-1 in the reverse fixture against Fulham three weeks ago at Craven Cottage, as Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were on the scoresheet for the Eagles, and Harry Wilson scored for the Cottagers. Interestingly, the away team is unbeaten in each of the last nine Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Fulham (W5, D4) since the Eagles won 2-0 at Selhurst Park in February 2019.
Crystal Palace have failed to win or score in any of their last four Premier League home games against Fulham (D2, L2). They’re winless in all six of their Premier League games played on New Year’s Day (D3, L3), with their last win coming against Notts County in 1992.
Fulham have secured a clean sheet in each of their last four Premier League away games against Crystal Palace.
Betting Tip
The Premier League 2025 odds predict a relatively tight affair between Crystal Palace and Fulham. The Eagles are poised to complete a league double at 2.21, but the Cottagers aren’t too far behind at 3.01, and a draw is at 3.15 in the 1X2 market.
The Eagles could certainly use a win, but momentum is on the Cottagers’ side, so choosing the winner is a tough call. Either way, we expect goals from these two sides at Selhurst Park. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors may also add Over 2.25 at 1.73, Over 2.50 at 2.00, and Over 2.75 at 2.29 to the parlay. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of Crystal Palace – the result of their most recent meeting – offers a robust payday of 8.60 your bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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