Seeking to return to winning ways in the Premier League, Chelsea face London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
The Blues title aspirations were dented when being held to a goalless draw by Everton on Sunday, on an afternoon where two of my Goodison Park selections landed.
That stalemate has left Enzo Maresca’s men four points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played a game less.
Thus, Chelsea can ill-afford another stumble when capital neighbours Fulham make the short trip across town for a festive showdown.
While Marco Silva’s men are unbeaten in five matches, they will be disappointed to have drawn 0-0 at home to Southampton last time out.
The Cottagers come into this all-London affair occupying ninth position in the Premier League table, just three points behind fifth-placed Bournemouth.
How the bookies view it: Blues to bounce back
The bookmakers' odds suggest Chelsea will bounce back on Boxing Day, with a home win chalked up at a lowly 2/5 on Boylesports.
Fulham are as big as 5/1 on Boylesports to bank all three points at Stamford Bridge, while a fourth successive stalemate involving Silva’s side can be backed at 15/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Quite astonishingly, Fulham have triumphed in just one of their last 25 meetings with Chelsea across all competitions. The Blues triumphed in both Premier League tussles between the pair last term without conceding a goal – a repeat here as trading at 19/10 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Cole due a goal?
Failing to score in each of his last two Premier League games is something of a dry spell in front of goal by Cole Palmer’s high standards. The Chelsea ace looks well placed to get back amongst goals at even-money (Boylesports) against a Fulham side without a clean sheet in 14 of their 17 Premier League games this season so far.
Alex Iwobi is Fulham's joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League this season with five strikes to his name. The Nigerian winger is as big as 11/2 (Boylesports) to notch at Stamford Bridge.
Predicted line-ups
After serving a one-game suspension at the weekend, Marc Cucurella is expected to come back into the Chelsea starting XI on Boxing Day.
Similarly, Fulham will also welcome back one of their key players from the naughty step, with midfielder Andreas Pereira available again after being forced to sit out the aforementioned stalemate with Southampton.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto,i Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Pereira; Jimenez
Anything else catch the eye?
With Chelsea too short to support as a single, I’ll dip into the Bet Builder and merge a home win alongside Sander Berge to commit a foul at 4/5 on PaddyPower.
The Blues have beaten the likes of Brighton, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brentford at home in recent months and they can follow suit against capital foes Fulham.
As for Fulham midfielder Berge, he has committed a foul in three of his last four Premier league outings and is likely to be up against Cole Palmer here, who is drawing an average of 2.33 fouls per-game in the top-flight this term.
This English Premier League match between Chelsea and Fulham will be played on Dec 26, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Chelsea vs Fulham prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
Chelsea vs Fulham Betting Tips & Predictions
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