The two men who managed Real Madrid last season go head-to-head in a West London derby for the first Monday Night Football of the Premier League season.

Xabi Alonso took the reins at Chelsea over the summer following his dismissal from Real Madrid last January, with big things expected of the Blues due to their limited fixture schedule.

Alvaro Arbeloa replaced Alonso as interim manager at the Bernabeu before replacing the long-serving Marco Silva at Fulham.

Match Build-Up

Two West London neighbours round off the Premier League's opening weekend at Craven Cottage for the first Monday Night Football of the season.

Alvaro Arbeloa takes charge of his first Fulham game after replacing Marco Silva. At the same time, Xabi Alonso begins his Chelsea reign after moving from Bayer Leverkusen, where he masterminded an unbeaten league and cup double.

These sides finished on the same points last season (52) and had to settle for a midtable finish (10th and 11th), missing out on European football.

Both go into this one having overhauled their squads. Fulham have brought in centre-forwards Gonzalo Garcia and Jonah Kusi-Asare, midfielder Shea Charles and attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios, while losing Harry Wilson, Sasa Lukic, Issa Diop and Raul Jimenez among others.

Pre-season results have been mixed for Arbeloa's side, with defeats to Norwich City and Crystal Palace.

Chelsea have made some serious moves in this summer's market.

Alonso has overseen a British transfer-record deal for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa at £117m, a £52m move for centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, and the free signings of experienced England internationals Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.

Joao Pedro has been a standout for Chelsea in pre-season, scoring four goals in his last two friendlies to take his summer tally to seven

Historically, Chelsea have the clear edge in this fixture, winning 15 of the last 24 meetings, but Fulham won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Craven Cottage back in January.

View our expert Fulham v Chelsea Betting Tips & Bet Builder Predictions.

Fulham v Chelsea Cheat Sheet

Full Head-to-Head Records & Stats

Key Talking Points

1. Can Arbeloa spring an opening-night upset?

   Fulham's record at home to Chelsea in recent years is pretty woeful, with just one win from their last two decades of meetings at Craven Cottage

   It's a baptism of fire for new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who will look to maximise new arrivals Garcia and Palacios, both familiar to their new manager from his time at Real Madrid, who will be central to any hopes of an upset.

   Mixed pre-season form, including defeats to Norwich and Crystal Palace, indicates Fulham are still finding their feet under the Arbeloa regime.

2. How quickly does Alonso's new-look Chelsea click?

   With the club-record arrival of Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix's arrival to shore up the defence, it gives Xabi Alonso plenty of fresh quality to work with.

   Blending these new players may take time, particularly with a three-at-the-back system that Alonso implements.

3. Does this derby live up to its billing as a genuine barometer?

   Both clubs come into the new season with question marks over their level after manager changes and, particularly for Chelsea, a poor last season.

   Neither manager has any Premier League experience to lean on, so an entertaining game seems likely given both sides have shown they can score and concede freely in recent meetings between the clubs.

Team News & Lineups

Fulham are without Joachim Andersen (suspension) and Tom Cairney (injury).

Chelsea are missing Mamadou Sarr, Jordan Henderson, Caleb Wiley, Aaron Anselmino, and Emanuel Emegha through injury, plus Wesley Fofana through suspension.

Predicted Lineups

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Palacios; García

Chelsea: Sánchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Palestra; Palmer, Rogers; João Pedro

Where To Go Next

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