Chelsea vs Fulham predictions: Blues can edge competitive derby
- Chelsea have managed just one clean sheet at home in the Premier League
- Fulham have scored in their last nine away games in all competitions
- Recommended Bet: Chelsea to win, both teams to score and over 3.5 goals
Chelsea sit in second spot in the Premier League table but they lost ground on leaders Liverpool over the weekend as they were held to a goalless stalemate at Everton.
The Blues return to action on Boxing Day and they will be hoping to make the most of home advantage against local rivals Fulham, although the visitors should not be underestimated as they have European aspirations of their own this season.
Team news
Chelsea will be without injured trio Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, while Romeo Lavia is rated as a doubt and Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended.
Harrison Reed, Kenny Tete and Reiss Nelson are absent for Fulham, who will also hand fitness tests to Emile Smith Rowe and Sander Berge.
The stats
Chelsea have won nine of the last 11 head-to-head meetings (D1, L1).
Both teams have scored in five of Chelsea’s last six games across all competitions.
Fulham had scored in 17 consecutive games prior to a 0-0 draw with Southampton last time out.
Chelsea have won eight of their last 10 home games across all competitions.
Over 3.5 goals has been a winning bet in four of Chelsea’s last six games and in three of Fulham’s last six.
Prediction
Chelsea need a response on Boxing Day after losing ground in the Premier League title battle at the weekend and they should be able to get back to winning ways against West London rivals Fulham.
The Cottagers have managed just two away wins in the Premier League this term in eight attempts, while Chelsea are unbeaten at home since they went down to Manchester City in the opening round of Premier League games.
Enzo Maresca’s side have won each of their last three at home across all competitions and they did the league double over Fulham last season so a Chelsea win looks the more likely result, but the visitors can still make their mark.
The Cottagers have scored in nine consecutive away games across all competitions since drawing a blank at Manchester United in their first trip.
Indeed, they had scored in every game home and away until a goalless stalemate at the weekend with Southampton and they are facing a Chelsea side who have just one clean sheet in eight home league games, so back Fulham to strike in defeat on Boxing Day.
The final leg of this Quick Bets selection requires over 3.5 goals and we could well be in for a bit of a thriller at the Bridge despite the fact both were involved in bore draws at the weekend.
Four of Chelsea’s last six games have gone over 3.5 goals and three of Fulham’s last six have featured at least four goals in total.
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