FRIDAY SPORTS PREVIEW
NEWS IN BRIEF
Monday 13 – Thursday 15 January 2026
Silva insists Wilson going nowhere despite Leeds interest: Marco Silva has shut down any talk of Harry Wilson leaving Fulham this month. The Welsh winger, who has seven goals and four assists this season, has been repeatedly linked with a January move to Leeds after a deadline day deal collapsed in September. “To clarify – completely zero chance of him leaving,” Silva said on Wednesday. “Zero chance for him to leave the club this January.” Wilson enters the final six months of his Craven Cottage contract with talks ongoing over a new deal. The 28-year-old, who captained Wales for the first time in November, has openly prioritised playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Rosenior seeks first league win amid Chelsea injury crisis: Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League match as Chelsea manager comes on Saturday against Brentford, but his preparations were disrupted when Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens were both ruled out of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal with temperatures just hours before kick-off. Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto all missed the 3-2 loss as “precautionary” measures. “I don’t want to take any risks at this stage of the season,” Rosenior said. The 41-year-old, appointed on a six-and-a-half-year contract, won his opening match 5-1 at Charlton in the FA Cup.
Chelsea fall to Arsenal in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg: Rosenior’s first home game ended in defeat as Arsenal claimed a 3-2 advantage at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Ben White headed the Gunners ahead from a corner before Viktor Gyökeres ended his goal drought and Martin Zubimendi added a third. Alejandro Garnacho struck twice from the bench to keep Chelsea’s hopes alive ahead of the second leg at the Emirates on 3 February.
Harlequins legend Lewies to depart after seven years: Stephan Lewies will leave Harlequins at the end of the season to return to South Africa with the Hollywoodbets Sharks. The 34-year-old lock, who captained Quins to the 2020-21 Premiership title, has made 88 appearances since joining in 2019. “I arrived at the Club with a few suitcases and a girlfriend, I’m leaving with a lot of memories, new friends, a wife and baby,” Lewies said. His departure adds to a recent exodus that has seen Andre Esterhuizen, Wilco Louw, Irne Herbst and Will Collier all leave.
AFC Wimbledon reach EFL Trophy quarter-finals: The Dons beat West Ham Under-21s 4-2 in an entertaining last-16 tie at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Monday. Johnnie Jackson’s side, in their first season back in League One after last season’s play-off success, are now three wins from Wembley. The quarter-final draw takes place on Saturday.
Chelsea Women’s Buchanan nearing return: Sonia Bompastor has revealed that Canada defender Kadeisha Buchanan is “not far from being back with the team in training sessions” as she recovers from an ACL injury suffered in November 2024. Chelsea, who beat West Ham 4-0 on Sunday, sit second in the WSL, six points behind Manchester City.
FA Cup fourth round draw: Away days for Fulham and Chelsea: Both west London clubs were handed away ties against Championship opposition in the FA Cup fourth round draw, made at Anfield on Monday. Fulham will travel to Stoke City while Chelsea face Hull City, with ties scheduled for the weekend of 14 February. Both clubs reached the fourth round with comfortable third-round victories – Fulham beat Middlesbrough 3-1 and Chelsea won 5-1 at Charlton in Rosenior’s first match in charge.
Fulham announce fifth Celebration Day: Fulham’s home fixture against Everton on 7 February will mark the club’s fifth annual Celebration Day, held in partnership with the Fulham Supporters’ Trust. The event, established in 2022, honours the memory of supporters, players and staff who have passed away in the previous year. Names are displayed on screens around Craven Cottage and read over the public address system, with a commemorative matchday programme featuring photos of those being remembered.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Friday 16 – Sunday 18 January 2026
Saturday 17 January
Premier League
- Leeds United vs Fulham (15:00, Elland Road) – Fulham look to extend their six-game unbeaten run
- Chelsea vs Brentford (15:00, Stamford Bridge) – Rosenior’s first Premier League match
League One
- AFC Wimbledon vs Doncaster Rovers (15:00, Cherry Red Records Stadium)
Sunday 18 January
FA WNL Division One South-East
- Fulham Women vs Chelsea Academy (14:00, Motspur Park) – League leaders can extend unbeaten start
Champions Cup Rugby
- La Rochelle vs Harlequins (15:15, Stade Marcel-Deflandre) – Quins face toughest European test
Midweek
- Chelsea Women vs Manchester City – Women’s League Cup semi-final, Wed 21 Jan (19:00, Joie Stadium, BBC iPlayer)
- Harlequins Women – Next fixture vs Trailfinders Women, Fri 30 Jan
LEAGUE TABLES
As of Thursday, 16 January 2026
Premier League
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 21 | 15 | +26 | 49 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 21 | 13 | +26 | 43 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 21 | 13 | +9 | 43 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
| 8 |  Chelsea |
21 | 8 | +10 | 31 |
| 9 |  Fulham |
21 | 9 | 0 | 31 |
Women’s Super League
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 12 | 11 | +24 | 33 |
| 2 | Chelsea |
12 | 8 | +18 | 27 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 12 | 6 | +13 | 23 |
League One
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff | 25 | 16 | +18 | 52 |
| 2 | Lincoln | 25 | 14 | +14 | 48 |
| 3 | Bradford | 24 | 13 | +9 | 46 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
| 13 |  AFC Wimbledon |
24 | 9 | -6 | 31 |
FA WNL Division One South-East
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fulham Women |
12 | 11 | +31 | 34 |
| 2 | Norwich City Women | 12 | 10 | +30 | 33 |
| 3 | London Bees | 13 | 8 | +20 | 26 |
WHAT TO WATCH
Fulham travel to Elland Road in confident mood. Six Premier League games unbeaten, a derby win over Chelsea, and an FA Cup fourth-round place secured – Marco Silva’s side are quietly putting together an impressive campaign. Harry Wilson has been central to their form, and while Leeds will be desperate to sign him this month, Silva’s declaration that there is “zero chance” of a January exit means the Welshman will be out to torment his would-be suitors on Saturday.
Across west London, Chelsea are seeking stability under Liam Rosenior. The new manager has vowed to “make the decisions” at Stamford Bridge and promised he is “good at what I do”, but an injury-hit squad and a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal have made for a turbulent first week. Fifth-placed Brentford, already victors at Manchester City this season, represent a stern test.
In Motspur Park, Fulham Women can extend their extraordinary unbeaten run when they host Chelsea Academy. Eleven wins from twelve matches have the league leaders a point clear at the top, and with nearest rivals Norwich City breathing down their necks, every point matters in the promotion race.
Harlequins head to La Rochelle on Sunday knowing the Stormers thrashing flattered their struggling side. CEO Laurie Dalrymple has acknowledged that performances have been “unacceptable” this season, and while Stephan Lewies has pledged to “empty the tank” before his departure, the French giants will expose any lingering weaknesses. At stake: qualification hopes and momentum for the Premiership run-in.
