- Chelsea have conceded only 10 first-half goals in 20 league games this season 
- Fulham have conceded the first goal in seven of their last eight away league games 
- Recommended bet: 2nd Half to be Half with Most Goals

Chelsea and Fulham both suffered narrow away defeats in the first legs of this week's EFL Cup semi-final ties but the west London rivals have an important Premier League fixture to focus on this weekend. 

Mauricio Pochettino's Blues, beaten 1-0 at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, have won four and lost four of their last eight league games. 

That run epitomises their patchy performances this term although they have defeated Brighton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United in their last three home matches. 

Fulham, beaten 2-1 at Liverpool in Wednesday's League Cup clash, came from behind to win 2-1 against Arsenal in their last league fixture and a win at Stamford Bridge would put them just one point behind big-spending Chelsea.

Team news

Chelsea's injury woes continue as Christopher Nkunku (hip) is a major doubt and Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile remain sidelined. 

Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are back in training but striker Nicolas Jackson is at the Africa Cup of Nations so Armando Broja should start up front.

Fulham centre-back Tim Ream returned to the squad on Wednesday but may not be fit enough to start.

Adama Traore is injured and Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Fode Ballo-Toure are away on international duty.

The stats

Chelsea have won only five of their last 20 home Premier League matches.

The Blues have conceded only 10 first-half goals in 20 league games this season.

Both teams have scored in five of Chelsea's last six league victories.

Only one of Fulham's seven league wins have come away from home this term.

The Cottagers have lost three of their last four league matches to nil.

Fulham have conceded the first goal in seven of their last eight away league games.

Prediction

Chelsea and Fulham shared a 0-0 stalemate at Stamford Bridge last season but a more exciting game is in prospect this time around. 

Both teams look stronger going forward than they are at the back and Chelsea have conceded 25 goals in 13 league matches since their 2-0 win at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture. 

Late drama has been a theme of the Blues' first season under Pochettino so backing more goals to be scored in the second half than the first looks a good bet.

It has been a winner in Chelsea's last five league games while last weekend's 4-0 FA Cup victory over Preston was goalless until the 58th minute. 

In Fulham's first 20 league fixtures there have been an average of 1.25 first-half goals per game compared with 1.9 after the break and they conceded in the 68th and 71st minutes of their 2-1 midweek loss at Anfield. 

Back 2nd Half to be Half with Most Goals, available at 19/20 with LiveScore Bet

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