Chelsea vs. Fulham: Preview and betting tips

22. the London derby between Chelsea and Fulham will open the English Premier League round. Surprisingly, the visitors, who are in seventh place, will go into it from a better position. But the Blues need to work hard and take nothing but three points.

Chelsea have struggled since the start of the season. Tenth place and ten points behind the Top 4 is shameful, the Blues are two points behind the seventh place guaranteeing European Cups. Only two wins from the last 12 games.

Fulham, on the other hand, are the pleasant surprise of the season. Shame about the losses in the last two rounds, but still the newcomer is in a comfortable seventh place. However, they are only one point ahead of eighth-placed Brentford, with Fulham having played an extra round.

Chelsea’s key figures

The home side has long been based on the performances of Mason Mount, but even he hasn’t been doing so well this season. The 3+6 record is poor by his standards. Kai Havertz is the team’s top scorer with six shots, adding one assist.

Fulham’s key figures

Fulham have a goal scorer of a different calibre, Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic has already netted 11 goals and assisted on two. Portugal summer signing Joao Palhinha has adapted well to the Premier League, with the defensive shield even scoring three times.

Chelsea have picked up defensively since the debut of winter signing Benoît Badiashile, keeping a clean sheet in both games with him. Overall, he has the league’s fourth-best defence with 21 goals conceded.

Fulham seem to be running out of shooting powder again. In the past six games, they have scored only six goals, twice coming out completely empty. Yet, with 32 shots, they are still the seventh highest scoring team in the Premier League.

Considering the improved form of the defence after the arrival of Badiashile, as well as Fulham’s shooting slump, I think Chelsea will manage the game at home and take all three points.

Source: Premier League