Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Former Chelsea teammates Scott Parker and Frank Lampard lock horns as Fulham welcome the Blues to Craven Cottage on Saturday evening for a west London derby.
The London clubs have struggled to bag any victories of late, causing them to slip down the league table. Chelsea, for one, are down in ninth-place on a mere 26 points from 17 games, while Fulham sit 14 points behind their foes in 18th. The hosts have played a game less, though.
Although Fulham haven’t beaten Chelsea since March 2006, going 19 matches winless in all competitions since then (D7 L12). They’ve also lost each of their previous five derbies against the Blues, with the last one ending in a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage in March 2019.
This match was originally scheduled for Friday, but had to be pushed back a day as Fulham played a postponed fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Fulham Form & Stats
Despite being on a six-match winless run in the Premier League, Scott Parker’s side have improved. They’ve drawn each of their last five league outings, and held reigning champions Liverpool and London rivals Tottenham to 1-1 stalemates.
Ivan Cavaleiro rose to the occasion on Wednesday, in what was Fulham’s first league game since Boxing Day, to cancel out Harry Kane’s first-half strike with a 74th-minute equalizer to salvage a 1-1 draw in north London.
Add their 2-0 FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers on January 9 to the mix, the Cottagers have gone six games unbeaten (W1 D5) in all competitions. That said, they have dropped one spot down into the Premier League relegation zone in 18th.
It’s also worth nothing Fulham only have one win in eight home league games (D3 L4) this season, including two goalless stalemates in their last two fixtures at Craven Cottage.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in their last 6 games in all competitions (W1 D5).
- Won just 1 of their 8 home league games (D3 L4).
- Only conceded 3 goals in their last six games in all competitions.
- Winless in their last 18 league London derbies.
- Ademola Lookman has contributed towards 4 of Fulham’s last 6 league goals (1 goal, 3 assists).
- Haven’t gone six games without a defeat in the Premier League since 2010/11.
Chelsea Form & Stats
The Blues ended a three-match winless run last weekend by thrashing League Two club Morecambe 4-0 in the FA Cup. Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Kai Havertz were all on target.
But while the victory over a fourth-tier side was welcome, the real work begins on Saturday. Chelsea need to get back to winning ways in the Premier League as soon as possible. Having lost four of their last six league games (W1 D1), anything less than all three points against Fulham is unacceptable.
The pressure is beginning to reach a boiling point for Frank Lampard. Regardless on whether rumors over his future are true or false, the manager needs a response from his men right away. And with a tricky trip to Leicester City coming up three days later, a poor result at Fulham could leave him in a tough spot.
Despite Chelsea winning just three of their eight away league games (D2 L3) this season, the visitors have a brilliant head-to-head record against Fulham and are gunning for a sixth consecutive triumph over their London rivals.
Key Team Stats
- Lost 4 of their last 6 league games (W1 D1).
- Lost their last 3 away league games.
- Unbeaten in their last 19 games against Fulham in all competitions (W12 D7).
- Won their last 5 league games against Fulham.
- Timo Werner has failed to score in his last 9 league games.
- BTTS in 5 of their last 7 league games.
Team News
Fulham
Out: Mario Lemina, Tom Cairney.
Doubts: Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Chelsea
Out: N’Golo Kante.
Doubts: N/A.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in the Premier League
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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