Will Fulham upset Chelsea in the derby?
A catch-up game in the Premier League is on the agenda, and a small derby in London at that. Even though Chelsea have often looked good in derbies recently, the Fulham vs. Chelsea forecast for the Blues does not currently look exhilarating. Because the visitors are struggling with some problems.
While Chelsea are favourites going into this game and that is not groundbreaking news due to the individual differences, Fulham have not been closer to the Blues than at present for a long time. Moreover, the home side are on the up and look really solid.
A Fulham vs. Chelsea tip is accordingly difficult, even the bookmakers do not see the Blues clearly ahead. Chelsea must get the basics right to even be able to look up again. But Fulham and the hosts’ unpleasant style of play per sé could put a spanner in the works.
Fulham – Statistics & current form
For a promoted team, Fulham FC are having a very successful season. The team from London is coached by Marco Silva, who has drawn the right conclusions after the promotion and has stabilised the team. With new players who fitted well to the squad, the foundation was laid. At the weekend, there was a 2-0 win at Hull City in the FA Cup, currently everything looks very good.
Fulham are seventh in the Premier League. This interim balance is very good to see. With one game more to go, the team from London is level on points with Liverpool FC, who are in sixth place. And: Fulham have not yet fallen lower than 13th place. In addition, they have won four competitive matches in a row, three in the league and one in the cup. In the last ten games, the only defeats were against Manchester City and United.
Only against the top teams of the league the results are not yet right. Apart from the game against Liverpool, there have basically always been defeats so far. Chelsea, a big opponent, but one that is struggling, comes at just the right time. Fulham will be looking to close the gap on the Blues to six points.
Fulham: Not a good record against Chelsea
Fulham do not have a good record against Chelsea, though. The Cottagers haven’t won a game against the Blues since 2006, a run of 20 consecutive games that saw them draw at most. But the boost that Fulham are taking with them could hardly be greater. The attack around top scorer Mitrovic, who has eleven goals in the league, is highly motivated and wants to put Chelsea under pressure early on.
The hosts have scored 30 goals so far, a figure that is quite respectable. Fulham have also conceded 27 goals. For a promoted team, that reads at least rock solid. At home, the Silva team scores a bit more than away from home, but the difference is not too big.
The overall balance as well as the individual class speaks against Fulham. However, this can be decisive, which is why our prediction before the game Fulham vs. Chelsea is that the visitors will not lose and that less than 3.5 goals will be scored. Bookmaker Bwin is currently offering a voucher for new and existing customers!
Predicted line-up of Fulham:
Leno – Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson – Reed, Palhinha, Cairney, Andreas, Willian – Mitrovic
Last matches played by Fulham:
FA Cup
07/01/2023 – Hull 0 – 2 Fulham
Premier League
04/01/2023 – Leicester 0 – 1 Fulham
31/12/2022 – Fulham 2 – 1 Southampton
26/12/2022 – Crystal Palace 0 – 3 Fulham
Club friendlies
17/12/2022 – Fulham 1 – 1 West Ham
Chelsea – Statistics & current form
Chelsea’s season is going anything but according to plan. The Blues wanted to attack at the top, but now have many injury worries, changed coaches within the season and are stuck in the middle of no man’s land in the table. Their recent record: Only one win in the league from ten games. No team in England’s top division has won less in that time.
And that brings us to the core problem, because Chelsea are not picking up enough points. They have now scored 25 in their 17 games so far, with only seven wins in total. That leaves the Blues in tenth place, and they deserve it. A big problem is the offensive, because Chelsea scored only 20 goals in these 17 games.
That’s why they’re making new additions. Joao Felix arrives from Atletico, and another addition to the attack does not seem out of the question. The 19 goals conceded look decent, but the defence was no worse under Thomas Tuchel than it is now under Graham Potter. So a lot still needs to happen at Chelsea.
Chelsea’s hope is the direct comparison
If current form doesn’t offer much hope, then the direct comparison does. The Blues have conceded only six goals in their last 14 duels with Fulham. In addition, the aforementioned series of 20 games without defeat plays a role. And: Chelsea also make a good impression in Londonderbys, winning nine of the last eleven away from home.
Most recently, the Blues were in action twice against Manchester City, losing 5-0 on aggregate. The defence did not make a good impression, especially in the cup game, and the personnel cover is thin.
Predicted Chelsea line-up:
Kepa – Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella – Zakaria, Kovacic, Gallagher – Ziyech, Mount, Havertz
Last matches played by Chelsea:
FA Cup
08/01/2023 – Manchester City 4 – 0 Chelsea FC
Premier League
06/01/2023 – Chelsea FC 0 – 1 Manchester City
01/01/2023 – Nottingham Forest 1 – 1 Chelsea FC
28/12/2022 – Chelsea FC 2 – 0 Bournemouth
Club friendlies
11/12/2022 – Chelsea FC 0 – 1 Aston Villa
Fulham – Chelsea Direct comparison / H2H record
The positive direct comparison in Chelsea’s favour has already been mentioned. The Blues have won 49 times in total against Fulham, while the Cottagers have only managed to win nine direct duels. 26 times there was no winner, in the 2020/21 season, when they last met, Chelsea won both games (2-0, 1-0).
Fulham – Chelsea Tip
Fulham actually have some advantages over Chelsea FC this season. The hosts are in better form, look more consistent and have been moving in the right direction again recently. That’s what Chelsea are waiting for.
But because the quality of the Blues is still high and coach Potter was able to save a few forces in the FA Cup, our tip before the game Fulham against Chelsea at odds that can be seen is that the visitors will not lose and less than 3.5 goals will fall.
