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Chelsea FC – Fulham FC
In the Premier League, Chelsea FC will be looking to take a first step out of their crisis this weekend. With numerous reinforcements from the winter transfer window in their luggage, the Londoners open the 22nd matchday of the highest English division in the city duel with Fulham FC. The game kicks off at Stamford Bridge on Friday at 21:00 and you can find our prediction in the following Chelsea vs Fulham tip.
The hosts continue to lag far behind in the table. With 29 points from 20 games, the Blues are only in tenth place, a full ten points off the Champions League places. Fulham, on the other hand, have made a strong comeback in the Premier League. The Cottagers have collected 31 points from 21 games so far and are even three places ahead of Chelsea.
Chelsea – Fulham Info:
– Date & Time: 03.02.2023, 21:00 hrs.
– Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 22
– TV broadcast: Sky
Chelsea Form & Balance Check
The pressure is mounting for Chelsea. The Blues have had a messed-up half-year, in which Thomas Tuchel, the successful coach of the last few years, had to resign at the beginning of the season. His successor, Graham Potter, got off to a good start, but the Blues have now fallen into a deep hole again. Chelsea are only mid-table in the league and were knocked out of both national cup competitions by Manchester City. BVB await in the Champions League last 16 in mid-February.
Only a win counts against Fulham
Until then, Potter wants to show that he is up to the demanding task as coach of the Blues. Chelsea urgently need to get results back and regain their old self-confidence before the clash with Dortmund. The last few weeks and months have probably taken their toll on the players’ psyche, and the capital city side are in a real crisis. Chelsea have won only three of their last twelve competitive games, and in January they have won only one and lost three of their six games. However, they did manage a partial win in a goalless draw against struggling Liverpool last time out.
Chelsea facts & analysis
– 10th place in the Premier League, 29 points from 20 games.
– Last played 0:0 against Liverpool
– Only 1 win from last 6 competitive matches
Fulham form & balance check
Unlike Chelsea, the mood at the club from the west London borough of Fulham is at its best at the moment. The Cottagers have made an excellent start after being promoted back to the Premier League and are in a more than secure upper midfield position after the first half of the season. Fulham have nothing to do with relegation at the moment, but the international places are much closer. However, those in charge do not want to concern themselves with such dreams yet, keeping the club in the league remains their priority for the time being.
Another coup against Chelsea?
For Fulham, the last few games have shown how quickly things can go downhill again. Suddenly, the Londoners are winless for three games. In the league, there were two narrow 0:1 defeats against the top teams from Newcastle and Tottenham, followed by a meagre 1:1 in the FA Cup against second division Sunderland. Inconveniently, the Cottagers also have to accommodate the replay in their tight schedule.
Nevertheless, these results are hardly cause for panic, even if the next top team in the table, Chelsea, now awaits. The first leg against the Blues took place only a few weeks ago and was won 2-1 by Fulham, and now the second city duel should also go to the visitors.
Fulham facts & analysis
– 7th place in the Premier League, 31 points from 21 games.
– Last played 1-1 in the cup against Sunderland
– Winless in 3 games
Predicted line-up – last updated 1 February 2023
Chelsea’s hospital continues to be full to bursting. Potter is currently without Broja, Pulisic, Kante, Sterling, Zakaria and Mendy, while Joao Felix is also suspended following his red card in the first leg against Fulham. With Chilwell, James and Fofana, on the other hand, there is still hope of scoring. It also remains to be seen which of the newcomers will be considered for the starting eleven on Friday.
On the other hand, Fulham coach Marco Silva will only have to do without Kebano. Otherwise, the Portuguese is likely to field the established starting eleven of recent weeks.
Chelsea – Fulham direct comparison & Statistics
Both teams have faced each other in 55 matches so far. The direct comparison is clearly in favour of the Blues, who have won 35 games. Fulham have only won three and 17 other games have ended in a draw. The 2-1 win in the first leg was the Cottagers’ first win over Chelsea since 2006.
– In front of their home crowd, Chelsea FC have a proud record of 16 games without defeat against Fulham FC.
– A look at Chelsea FC: Kai Havertz is the top scorer with 5 goals. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 11 times for Fulham FC.
– The average number of goals scored in a Chelsea FC vs Fulham FC clash is 2.2.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC is 1.2.
– Both teams did not win their last match in Premier League.
