Fulham’s midweek thriller against Manchester City was one for the ages. A 5-4 defeat doesn’t sound flattering, but Marco Silva’s men showed spirit. Down 1-5 and seemingly dead and buried, they nearly pulled off a miracle comeback with two late strikes from Samuel Chukwueze. It’s rare to lose a home game after scoring four, yet this Fulham side did so with pride intact. Can they now turn chaos into control? It’s hard to say, but Craven Cottage has seen stranger turnarounds. Fulham average 1.86 goals per game, though they’ve been leaky at the back, conceding 1.14. The energy is there, consistency, not so much.

Silva’s dilemma is a classic one: stick with his regular starters or unleash Chukwueze from the get-go? The Nigerian winger’s pace and flair have changed games off the bench, averaging a goal or assist every 46 minutes this season. That’s wild efficiency by any standard. Yet Fulham’s over 2.5 goals rate (43%) shows a team that lives on the edge, thrilling, unpredictable, and, at times, self-destructive. Still, playing at home might just tilt the balance in their favor, at least emotionally. The crowd at Craven Cottage always has a way of lifting this team, even when the odds seem bleak.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, look solid and smart under Oliver Glasner. A 1-0 win over Burnley might not make headlines, but it speaks volumes. The Eagles have kept seven clean sheets in 14 games, second only to Arsenal. That’s elite-level discipline. Palace concede just 0.57 goals per match while scoring 1.29, meaning they rarely blow teams away but almost never collapse either. It’s their calm, methodical approach that’s made them one of the toughest sides to crack this season. Oliver Glasner seems to have found the sweet spot between defensive rigor and efficient counter-attacking play.

There’s quiet confidence around Selhurst Park right now. Palace are fifth, just one point shy of fourth-placed Chelsea, and the mood is buoyant. Daniel Muñoz’s consistency and Marc Guehi’s leadership at the back have been key. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal drought against Fulham (five games, zero goals) is a concern, but his pressing and link-up play give Glasner options. Palace’s away form has been excellent too, 11 clean sheets in 20 away games since last December. If anyone’s going to frustrate Fulham’s momentum, it’s this Palace side. Even so, London derbies have a way of defying logic. This one might just be tighter than the stats suggest, but the Eagles’ organization could make all the difference.

For more expert previews, odds analysis, and bold football insights, keep an eye on XpertStats’ Premier League Predictions hub. Expect drama, tension, and maybe a surprise or two at Craven Cottage this Sunday.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says Sunday’s Premier League trip to Fulham at Craven Cottage is about staying focused on the next game, despite talk of Champions League places. With Ismaila Sarr still out injured but no new fitness concerns and Borna Sosa close to returning, Glasner welcomes the extra recovery day after Fulham’s midweek loss to Manchester City. Source: BBC Sport.