class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Struggling for cutting edge, Al Hain-Cole expects the Cottagers to leave Stamford Bridge empty-handed when they take on Tuchel's watertight team
There is more than local pride at stake when Chelsea welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Thomas Tuchel’s men are looking to shore up their place in the top four, having moved four points clear of West Ham with a 1-0 win at the London Stadium last weekend.
Chelsea vs Fulham Latest Odds
Unbeaten in 20 matches against their neighbours, they are 4/9 (1.44) favourites with bet365 to move another step towards Champions League qualification with another seventh successive derby win.
The Cottagers’ survival hopes are hanging by a thread as they sit seven points adrift of safety with five matches remaining, although they can be backed at 13/2 (7.50) to keep the dream alive with a shock win on enemy territory.
Eight of the guests’ last 11 away games have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 10/3 (4.33) on them playing out yet another stalemate.
Chelsea vs Fulham Team News
Mateo Kovacic is the only injury concern for the hosts, who are likely to field somewhat of a rotated line-up ahead of next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.
Kenny Tete could be back following COVID-19 isolation, although Marek Rodak is an injury doubt, Tom Cairney and Terence Kongolo are definitely ruled out, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is ineligible to face his parent club.
Chelsea vs Fulham Preview
Fulham’s spate of stalemates goes a long way to explaining why Scott Parker’s team has failed to break out of the bottom three this season, with a lack of cutting edge in attack preventing them from turning draws into victories.
Indeed, they have conceded fewer goals than Champions League candidates West Ham but scored fewer than any club except rock bottom Sheffield United.
It is therefore hard to see them pulling off an upset against a Blues side that has kept a clean sheet in six out of seven home league matches since Frank Lampard’s departure – conceding just nine times in 21 fixtures in total.
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Chelsea vs Fulham Tips and Predictions
With this in mind, odds of 13/10 (2.30) seem generous on Chelsea winning while keeping a seventh clean sheet in 10 when they take on a Fulham outfit that has scored just four times in eight matches.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.