Chelsea vs Fulham tips and predictions: Free-scoring Blues expected to make light work of Cottagers

Carabao Cup semi-finalists Chelsea and Fulham meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime with both in precarious positions after losing the first leg.

Chelsea created a glut of chances against Championship Middlesbrough and did enough to win 3-1 on the net, but instead lost 1-0 to Hayden Hackney’s goal.

Fulham took a surprise lead at Anfield when Virgil van Dijk’s mistake was pounced upon by Willian to put to Cottagers 1-0 up.

Marco Silva’s side has bagged some notable results recently but as Forest Gump’s Mom once said, Fulham are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.

Days after beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Cottage, they made hard work of seeing off Championship strugglers Rotherham in the FA Cup.

Despite battering all comers on home soil, they’re winless in six on their travels and shipping goals for fun.

 

 

Their form against the bigger clubs in particular is concerning. Despite plucky efforts against Liverpool, they were beaten 4-3 and 2-1.

Newcastle beat them 3-0, Aston Villa beat them 3-1, Tottenham dominated the play in a routine 2-0 win and Man City humbled them 5-1 earlier in the season.

Mauricio Pochettino has a real challenge on his hands to make Chelsea more competitive on their travels and consistent in front of goal, but there’s nothing wrong with their home form.

The Blues are unbeaten in nine of 10 in all competitions, winning six, and they’ve rattled in 16 in their last six at the Bridge. They’re creating high-quality chances and taking them.

Liverpool is the only team in the Premier League with a higher expected goals value than Chelsea’s 39.9 this campaign.

On the other hand, Fulham ranks sixth in expected goals against. We’re forecasting a 2-0 home win as the most probable score on Saturday.

 

Team news

Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Trevoh Chalobah are ruled out.

Nicolas Jackson is unavailable while he’s at the African Cup of Nations and Christopher Nkunku will be assessed in the build-up.

In better news, Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka could be fit enough for a place in the squad.

Adama Traore and Tim Ream are the only injury concerns for Fulham but Marco Silva may rotate and prioritise the Carabao Cup.

Calvin Bassey, Fode Ballo-Toure and Alex Iwobi are at the African Cup of Nations.

 

Key stats

- Chelsea are unbeaten in nine of 10 at Stamford Bridge
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in four of five meetings
- Chelsea have won the last four meetings at the Bridge 2-0
- Chelsea have the second-highest xG in the Premier League
- Fulham are winless in seven away matches
- Fulham haven’t scored at Stamford Bridge since 2011

 

Suggested bets

Chelsea -1.5 Asian handicap

Chelsea to win to nil