Fresh squad selections and exciting debuts when two Spanish coaches meet for the first time in the Premier League.
Fulham and Chelsea have announced their starting line-ups ahead of tonight’s season opener at Craven Cottage.
Two Spanish head coaches are making their very first appearances in charge of England’s top division. For Fulham, it is Álvaro Arbeloa who makes his debut – after leading Real Madrid last season.
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He took over after Chelsea’s new boss, Xabi Alonso, left Madrid in January. Now the two meet as managers – having played side by side at Liverpool from 2007 to 2009.
Fulham’s starting eleven – two new faces from the start
Arbeloa immediately gives confidence to two of this summer’s newcomers: César Palacios starts in the middle, while Gonzalo García gets a place in the attack.
Midfielder Shea Charles, signed from Southampton for £30m earlier this month, will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Fulham’s starting eleven: Bernd Leno – Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson – Sander Berge, Alex Iwobi, Josh King, Oscar Bobb – Gonzalo García, Ezequiel Palacios
Fulham’s substitutes: Benjamin Lecomte, Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed, Rodrigo Muniz, Kevin, Shea Charles, Ryan Sessegnon, Emile Smith Rowe, Luc de Fougerolles
Chelsea’s starting eleven – Rogers and Lacroix make their debuts
At Chelsea, Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix will make their competitive debuts for the club.
On the bench we find several new faces: Mike Penders, Pep Chavarría, Valentín Barco, Geovany Quenda and Danny Welbeck. Enzo Fernández is also ready – amid strong rumours of a move to Manchester City before the window closes on 1 September.
Chelsea’s starting eleven: Robert Sánchez – Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto – Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato – Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, João Pedro
Chelsea’s substitutes: Mike Penders, Pep Chavarría, Valentín Barco, Enzo Fernández, Estevão, Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda, Danny Welbeck
How to watch the match
Kick-off tonight is at 20:00 UK time (21:00 Norwegian time). In the UK, the match will be broadcast on the Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
Key figures before the match
Fulham open the Premier League season with a London derby for the fourth time – having lost all three before (against Arsenal twice and Crystal Palace once).
Since March, Chelsea have the most losses of any club that was not relegated last season – eight defeats in eleven games. But historically, Chelsea have never lost two straight to Fulham since 1979.
Xabi Alonso becomes the 27th manager to lead Chelsea in the Premier League – giving the club the most managers in league history, ahead of Tottenham with 26.
Danny Welbeck can tonight play his 19. Premier League season – equalling Jermain Defoe’s record for most seasons by a striker.
And not least: Arbeloa and Alonso were teammates in 46 league games for Liverpool. Now they meet as opponents on the sidelines – for the first time in Premier League history, two managers meet in their debut match who have previously been teammates in the same league.
In other words, tonight’s derby has both history, drama and debutants in all sides.
