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Fulham will begin their EFL Cup campaign in the second round on Thursday, when they welcome AFC Wimbledon to Craven Cottage.
The hosts kicked off their 2026-27 season in a defeat to Chelsea on Monday, while their visitors have had a slow start in League One and scraped past Newport County to reach this stage.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon key stats
- Fulham have reached the quarter-finals or further in two of the last three seasons in the EFL Cup.
- Fulham's last meeting with third-tier opposition in the EFL Cup came in the fourth round last time around in which they drew with Wycombe Wanderers and won the penalty shootout.
- Fulham lost 3-2 to Chelsea in their first competitive game under Alvaro Arbeloa.
- AFC Wimbledon are yet to win a game in normal time this season.
- AFC Wimbledon have scored two goals and conceded five in their four competitive games in 2026-27.
Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon preview: Arbeloa to secure first competitive win as Fulham boss
Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon — Tale of the Tape
| Fulham | vs | AFC Wimbledon |
|---|---|---|
| 12th (Premier League) | Position | 23rd (League One) |
| 0 | Points | 1 |
| 2 | Goals For | 0 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 3 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 19th | Home / Away Rank | 24th |
Fulham will play their second competitive game of 2026-27 and under Alvaro Arbeloa on Thursday after an opening league defeat.
Their change in the dugout over the summer was a significant one, with Marco Silva departing after five years at the helm including Championship promotion and four consecutive top-flight finishes between 10th and 13th spots.
His final year in 2025-26 ended in an 11th-placed finish while the Cottagers reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals with home wins over Bristol City and Cambridge United and a penalty shootout triumph over Wycombe Wanderers before falling to Newcastle United.
Following a busy pre-season run and a first summer transfer window, in which he was able to add several familiar faces from his time with Real Madrid, Arbeloa oversaw a first competitive game on Monday as they took on Chelsea in their Premier League opener and fell just short at Craven Cottage, falling 1-0 and 3-1 behind and failing to find a leveller after goals from Josh King and debutant Gonzalo Garcia.
They will now bid to bounce back at Craven Cottage and record a first victory to progress in the EFL Cup and build confidence ahead of a trip to Sunderland at the weekend.
The visitors, meanwhile, head to West London aiming to take a major scalp to continue their cup run and kickstart their 2026-27 season.
AFC Wimbledon came into the new term on the back of a 19th-placed finish in League One and a second-round EFL Cup defeat, and they are yet to win a game in 90 minutes, albeit progressing through the EFL Cup first round in their opener, drawing 1-1 with fourth-tier Newport County and prevailing in a penalty shootout.
The Dons have since managed a point from their first two League One outings, either side of an EFL Trophy draw against Leyton Orient and shootout defeat, having not yet scored in England's third tier.
After opening with a 3-0 away loss to Huddersfield Town at the weekend, they hosted Reading and played out a goalless stalemate to, at least, put a first point on the board at the second time of asking.
Having now scored just two goals in four competitive matches while drawing three and losing one in normal time, AFC Wimbledon head into their toughest test yet with the hopes of springing a surprise at Craven Cottage to progress.
Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon form guide & betting tips
| Fulham | vs | AFC Wimbledon |
|---|---|---|
L |
Form | WLLD |
| 2 | Goals For | 2 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 5 |
N/A |
EFL Cup | W |
Whispers predicts: Fulham 4-0 AFC Wimbledon
Fulham were able to score twice at home to Chelsea on Monday, and with plenty of quality attacking options competing for Arbeloa's favour with the potential for rotation, we fancy them to let loose against an AFC Wimbledon team who lost their first away league game 3-0. We fancy over 3.5 Fulham goals at 9/4 (3.25).
The visitors, meanwhile, have only managed two goals in their first four matches this season, and even if the hosts do make changes as Arbeloa assesses his squad, the Dons undoubtedly face their toughest test of the season by far, having already been shut out by Huddersfield and Leyton Orient. Both Teams to Score – No is priced at 4/6 (1.67).
After making a substitute appearance on Monday, Ryan Sessegnon is one of the Fulham men likely to earn a starting opportunity in their cup tie and could take up a role on the wing. He has scored twice in pre-season and netted seven goals in 43 Premier League matches since returning to the Cottagers. They should create an abundance of chances throughout the game and we see him as interesting value to score anytime at 11/4 (3.75).
> Over 3.5 Fulham goals at 9/4 (3.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Both Teams to Score – No at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Ryan Sessegnon to score anytime at 11/4 (3.75) | Likelihood: Possible