Chelsea vs Fulham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Both Chelsea and Fulham are both unbeaten so far, ahead of Saturday's West London Derby at Stamford Bridge.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – NBC.com
Chelsea preview: On song
Chelsea found their groove last weekend as they hit struggling West Ham for five, with Joao Pedro in particular standing out with a goal and two assists, while youngster Estevao also impressed in the 5-1 win, in what was his first Premier League start.
The Brazilian was a late addition to the starting line-up after Cole Palmer pulled up injured in the warm-up.
Fulham preview: Steady start
Last weekend saw Fulham once again fight back from a goal down to earn a point in the Premier League, with substitute Emile Smith Rowe equalising for the Cottagers midway through the second half of their contest with Man Utd at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva's side followed that 1-1 draw with a 2-0 triumph over Bristol City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, with Raul Jimenez doubling Fulham's lead after an early own goal had put them ahead.
Chelsea team news: Palmer absence confirmed
Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Palmer will play no part in this fixture, with the England star also having been excluded from international duty for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. That could once again see Joao Pedro occupy the number ten role behind Liam Delap, with Estevao playing off the right.
Alejandro Garnacho is in the process of joining the club from Man Utd, but the Argentine is unlikely to be involved in this fixture.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Estevao, Pedro, Neto; Delap
Unavailable: Badiashile (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Palmer (Injured), Kellyman (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Jackson (Out of favour)
Questionable:
Fulham team news: Wilson could miss out with small injury
After Ryan Sessegnon and Antonee Robinson returned to the fold last weekend, Silva boasts a near fully-fit squad with only Harry Wilson a doubt with an injury Silva described as "nothing serious".
Youngster Joshua King has impressed in the early stages of the season at number ten but Smith Rowe is a potential starter after his impact last week.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Lukic, Berge; Castagne, King, Iwobi; Muniz
Unavailable:
Questionable: Wilson (Injured)
Chelsea vs Fulham prediction
Chelsea put in an excellent display in their thrashing of West Ham last weekend, but it's fair to say they were certainly helped by the shortcomings of their opposition.
Fulham should provide much sterner opposition, not least because this West London Derby is often decided by fine margins. Indeed, there has been a margin of victory greater than two goals in just one of the last 31 competitive meetings between the two sides.
Both sets of players will be well up for this one, and while the edge does go to the hosts at Stamford Bridge, it is unlikely to be a high-scoring game.
Chelsea vs Fulham tip: Chelsea to win & under 2.5 goals
