In a much-anticipated West London derby, Fulham play host to Chelsea in the Premier League’s Monday night fixture. The clash is set to take place at Craven Cottage on October 2, 2023, at 8pm UK time. Both teams, currently lingering in the bottom half of the table, will be eager to secure vital points, especially with their recent one-goal triumphs in the EFL Cup.
Analysis: Fulham seems to be finding their groove, stringing together commendable results as we head into the intense autumn schedule. Their recent victory over Norwich City in the EFL Cup, thanks to the efforts of Carlos Vinicius and Alex Iwobi, demonstrated their potential to advance further in the competition. This success, combined with their draw against Crystal Palace, has allowed Marco Silva’s men to secure the 11th spot on the Premier League table. Notably, Fulham’s only recent loss came against the treble winners, Manchester City, indicating their resolute defense against formidable opposition. Their chances of a third consecutive Premier League clean sheet are palpable, given their recent shutout against Luton Town.
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Chelsea, on the other hand, managed to restore some dignity with a narrow win over Brighton in the EFL Cup, marking their first win of the month. This victory, spearheaded by Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson, ended Chelsea’s three-game goal drought. However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side hasn’t had the best Premier League run recently. Their last win in the Premier League was a 3-0 over Luton Town, with Chelsea now dangerously close to the relegation zone in the 15th place. Their start to the season has been their worst in decades, reminding fans of the disappointing 1978-79 season.
History seems to be on Fulham’s side, as they broke their 21-game non-winning streak against Chelsea last season with a 2-1 victory. Additionally, matches between these two sides on Mondays have traditionally ended in draws.
Team News: Fulham’s recent win over Norwich did not come without a cost. Defender Calvin Bassey’s recurrence of a back injury has raised concerns. Fulham also has a few key players like Tosin Adarabioyo and Adama Traore sidelined due to injuries. However, there’s a potential boost with Sasa Lukic returning to team training after his knee issue.
Chelsea too has its share of injury woes. Left-back Ben Chilwell’s hamstring injury seems concerning. Their injury list is long, with key players like Reece James, Marcus Bettinelli, and Trevoh Chalobah all sidelined. There’s hope for Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke’s inclusion, although their involvement remains uncertain.
Prediction: Goal.mu predicts: Fulham 1-1 Chelsea.
Given Fulham’s rising form and Chelsea’s recent struggles, a close match is anticipated. Fulham’s home advantage and Chelsea’s dire need for Premier League points make this a tightly contested fixture. With the historical data suggesting draws on Mondays, a 1-1 result seems plausible.
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