Chelsea vs Fulham Prediction Premier League Picks 10/2
- Lm Tipster
- Oct 2, 2023, 4:17:54 AM
© Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Fulham vs Chelsea: The West London Derby
On Monday evening, Fulham will host Chelsea in a Premier League fixture that pits two underperforming West London rivals against each other at Craven Cottage.
Introduction
Fulham and Chelsea both pulled off narrow victories in their EFL Cup third-round matches. The hosts managed to squeak past Norwich City, while Chelsea narrowly defeated Brighton. As both teams look to build momentum, this derby presents a perfect opportunity.
Fulham
Current Form
Managed by Marco Silva, Fulham recently extended their unbeaten streak to three matches in all competitions. They find themselves in 11th place in the Premier League table, aiming for a higher position.
Key Players
Carlos Vinicius and Alex Iwobi have been instrumental in Fulham's recent form, with their crucial goals in the EFL Cup against Norwich City.
Strategies and Tactics
Expect Silva to employ a defensive strategy, possibly aiming to secure a third consecutive clean sheet in the league.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Fulham's defense has recently shown signs of solidity, but the team's inability to win their last nine top-flight London derbies could be a concern.
Possible Lineup
Areola; Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina; Lemina, Reed, Anguissa; Lookman, Vinicius, Iwobi
Chelsea
Current Form
Currently sitting uncomfortably in 15th place in the league, Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea squad needs to regain their form. Their recent victory against Brighton in the EFL Cup could serve as a catalyst.
Key Players
Nicolas Jackson managed to snap Chelsea's three-game goal drought by scoring the winner against Brighton, making him a player to watch.
Strategies and Tactics
Pochettino may focus on improving his team's finishing, given their subpar goal conversion rate in recent Premier League matches.
Strengths and Weaknesses
While their recent cup win might boost their morale, Chelsea's overall form and the injury list could hinder their performance.
Possible Lineup
Mendy; James, Silva, Rudiger, Alonso; Kante, Kovacic; Ziyech, Mount, Pulisic; Jackson
Head to Head
Fulham ended a 21-game winless streak against Chelsea last season with a 2-1 home victory, followed by a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge. Interestingly, all three Monday fixtures between these sides have ended in draws.
Statistics
Fulham's recent form reads DWLWDW in all competitions, while Chelsea's reads WWLDLW. Both teams are fairly evenly matched going into this derby.
Prediction
The safest bet for this match appears to be 'under 2.5 goals'. Here's why:
- Defensive Solidity: Fulham aim for a third consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League.
- Poor Conversion: Chelsea have struggled to score despite favorable xG statistics.
- Historical Precedence: The last three Monday matches between these teams have all ended in draws.
- Key Absences: Injuries to players like Ben Chilwell for Chelsea could impact offensive capabilities.
Conclusion
While both teams have had their struggles, this West London derby promises to be a closely contested affair. Fulham seem poised to build on their recent form, while Chelsea look to climb out of the bottom half of the table.
