Crystal Palace vs Fulham - Betting Tips & Predictions.

Selhurst Park 01 January - 17:30

Crystal Palace

Fulham

Recommended tip Win for Fulham

1: 2.15 X: 3.35 2: 3.40

1: 2.15 X: 3.25 2: 3.30

1: 2.15 X: 3.40 2: 3.40

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There’s no better way to kick off the New Year than with a proper London derby. At 17:30 on 01/01/26 Crystal Palace welcome Fulham to Selhurst Park in a fixture that promises plenty of passion and a fair bit of intrigue. Both clubs sit in the top half — ninth and tenth respectively — separated by little more than goal difference, but form tells a different story.

Palace arrive clinging to a worrying run, without a home win in five and losers of their last three across all competitions. Fulham, on the other hand, have a spring in their step, unbeaten in recent league outings and arriving with confidence. There’s history here too: local bragging rights are at stake and recent H2H records add a spicy subplot.

As always, we’ll be looking at the odds and predictions and serving up a few Tips with a healthy dose of punditry. If you’re shopping markets, take a look at our football betting sites round-up for context — but read on for the match-up analysis and my best bets for this New Year’s Day tussle.

Odds and Predictions

Bookmakers have been slightly quirky on this one. Early lines had Palace as narrow favourites despite their form, with home odds around 23/20 (2.15), the draw at roughly 12/5 (3.40) and Fulham priced near 23/10 (3.30). Those figures translate into implied probabilities that still leave this as a legitimately open contest — the bookmakers give Palace a bit over 46% chance on paper, with both a draw and a Fulham win hovering around 30% each.

Odds are a snapshot of where the market and public money sit rather than gospel, and the underlying numbers tell a more balanced story. Palace’s recent struggles at Selhurst undermine that favourite tag, while Fulham’s momentum makes them dangerous on the counter and in transitions. My predictions lean towards a result that rewards Fulham’s form without ruling out Palace grinding out a draw at home.

So the pragmatic Tip from this corner? Back a double chance on Fulham or Draw if you want to hedge — it is conservative but sensible given Palace’s home woes and Fulham’s run. For punters wanting a touch more value, a Fulham win deserves a small each-way interest given their attacking rhythm.

Comparison and Statistics

The head to head — H2H if you prefer the shorthand — adds an intriguing angle. Palace have edged the last three meetings between these sides across competitions, but H2H stats can be misleading when form swings sharply. Recent encounters were tight affairs, often decided by fine margins.

Look at the form table: Palace concede far too easily at the moment, shipping multiple goals in several of their last fixtures. Their last five results read poorly and their home form has been patchy. Fulham’s last five in the league show more grit: three straight wins in the league have given them momentum and belief.

Goals for and against tell the story — Palace’s defensive frailties are obvious, while Fulham are scoring the sort of late and decisive goals that lift teams. Expect a competitive, low-to-medium scoring game where tactical discipline could be the deciding factor. That’s why a 1-1 correct score prediction looks likely, but I wouldn’t discount a narrow Fulham win given their recent attacking returns.

Expected Line-ups

Team news matters here. Palace are short on some options with Chris Richards a doubt and notable absentees including Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada and Ismaila Sarr. That lack of depth may force tactical compromises. Predicted starting XI from Palace could read Henderson in goal; Lacroix, Lerma and Guehi across the back; Clyne at right-back with Mitchell on the left; Hughes and Wharton in midfield; and a front three of Pino, Nketiah and Mateta.

Fulham’s selection headaches are lighter. They have no fresh concerns, although their squad has been impacted by AFCON with players like Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi away. Rodrigo Muniz remains on the treatment table. Expect Leno to protect the sticks, Tete and Robinson as full-backs, Andersen and Cuenca central, and a midfield two of Berge and Lukic. Up front, Wilson, Smith Rowe and Kevin (possibly on the left) with Jimenez leading the line is a likely setup.

Tactically, Palace may try to press early and use Selhurst’s atmosphere to rattle Fulham, but their injuries mean a cautious approach is possible. Fulham will look to exploit space in transition and target Palace’s shaky midfield — their set-piece threat and late-game composure could tilt matters in their favour.

How Will the Season Pan Out

This fixture is more than just three points — it’s a barometer for both clubs’ immediate ambitions. Palace must arrest the slide to avoid slipping into a mid-table mire and losing momentum. A poor run through January could see them drop several places if results don’t pick up. For Fulham, continued upward trajectory keeps European dreams realistic and cements them as dark horses for a top-half finish.

Over the long haul, Palace need defensive stability and a return to form from their attacking outlets to challenge for anything beyond comfortable mid-table. Fulham’s recruitment and tactical nous under their current management suggest they can sustain a push for the top half, possibly flirting with European qualification if injuries are kind.

In short: this clash will matter. A Fulham win pushes them further into the season as genuine contenders for a Europa spot, while a Palace recovery would calm nerves and provide a platform to climb the table again. My final take: play the market smart — back Fulham for value, keep a small saver on the draw if you fancy insurance, and enjoy the derby atmosphere. Predictions and Tips here favour a Fulham positive result or an entertaining draw.

Key Stats

Palace winless in five matches in all competitions, losing the last three.
Fulham have won their last three league fixtures.
Palace have won the previous three H2H meetings, but form suggests a shift.

Correct Score Prediction

My nod goes to a 1-1 draw — tight, competitive and very much in keeping with how these teams have faced off recently, though a narrow Fulham win is by no means out of the question if they click on the counter.

Written by:

Mark Brown

Chief Statistician

Bio:

Football bores me to tears! I’m not interested in the Rooney’s and Ronaldo’s of the world, but I am interested in betting. With that in mind, I spend hours trawling through the statistics of the football markets and can usually come up with an angle which presents a viable betting opportunity.

Key contributions:

Chief statistician or Stato, as my colleagues like to call me

Personnel betting philosophy or quotes:

“Risk wisely, gain greatly”