Fulham vs Chelsea Predictions

• Under 2.5 goals has landed in six of the last nine head-to-heads
• Chelsea have scored first in five of the last six meetings between the two
• Pedro Neto has six goals in all competitions this season

All change at Chelsea

Liam Rosenior looks set to take over as Chelsea boss but it remains to be seen if he will be in charge for their crucial derby against Fulham tomorrow.

The Blues picked up an impressive point away against Manchester City on Sunday under caretaker boss Calum McFarlane, particularly as they were without key players Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo.

Enzo Maresca’s departure after clashing with the club hierarchy came as something of a shock, particularly as it happened on New Years’ Day, but the club are 17 points off the Premier League pace-setters Arsenal after their title hopes were talked up before the season.

Chelsea have only won eight of their 20 league games and despite their impressive draw against the Citizens it is now just two wins from their last ten matches in all competitions. 

Cottagers punching above their weight

Fulham also put in an impressive performance in a draw on Sunday, with a late Harrison Reed screamer securing a point for the Cottagers against Liverpool after Cody Gakpo had seemingly won it for the Reds in the 94th minute.

Marco Silva’s men continue to punch above their weight despite their limited squad and some notable Africa Cup of Nations absentees such as Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze. They have now gone five league games without a defeat and the only teams to have beaten them at home in 12 matches at Craven Cottage in all competitions are Arsenal, Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

Their recent record against rivals Chelsea leaves a little bit to be desired, they have lost four of the last five meetings between these two, but the Blues have not run away with any of those victories.

Cagey affair likely

Just three points separate these two local rivals in the Premier League table, a situation which would have been unthinkable up until recently.

Derbies between these two tend to be low-scoring and a repeat of that is a tempting betting proposition considering the stakes.

Fulham will clearly look to sit in and frustrate their opponents and if Chelsea are under the tutelage of Rosenior by the time this game rolls around, then the Blues may take some time to get used to his playing style.

A cagey derby clash could follow and under 2.5 goals is the selection, as has often been the tendency in recent meetings between these two. 

Chelsea have however won four of the last five meetings and correct score backers could keep a 1-0 win on side. Pedro Neto should have added to his season-tally of six goals against Manchester City but could get more opportunities against these opponents.