Fulham vs Chelsea predictions: Premier League tips and odds

Belfast Telegraph

02 October 2023

Our betting expert has three Fulham vs Chelsea tips for the Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage tonight (kick-off, 8pm). Scroll down to see the analysis behind his selections.

Fulham vs Chelsea betting tips

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Rivals may cancel each other out

Three points and three places separate these sides in the Premier League table, with Fulham in 12th and Chelsea labouring under new manager Mauricio Pochettino in 15th.

Chelsea’s recent league record is alarming for a club that has spent close to £1billion on new players since the consortium led by Todd Boehly took over in May 2022. A haul of five points from six games actually represents an improvement on the seven points gained in the last 12 matches of 2022-23.

They head to Craven Cottage looking for a first Premier League win since August and face a Fulham side who will be confident of avoiding defeat. Last term, the Cottagers won this fixture 2-1 in January and drew 0-0 in the return at Stamford Bridge the next month.

Whether either side can force a victory is another question. Both have managed just five goals in six league matches this season, so a draw could be the most sensible bet.

Fulham vs Chelsea tip 1: Draw @ 23/10 with Paddy Power

Sterling can call the shots

Among the selection headaches facing Pochettino on Monday is who to play at centre-forward.

Nicholas Jackson is suspended after racing to five yellow cards in his first six league matches and Armando Broja has yet to prove his fitness, so Raheem Sterling could start as a false nine.

The England forward is Chelsea’s top scorer this season, albeit with just two goals, and only Jackson has had more shots than the 14 Sterling has managed.

We’re confident he can add at least a couple of shots on target to test Fulham Keeper Bernd Leno this evening.

Fulham vs Chelsea tip 2: Raheem Sterling 2+ shots on target @ 23/10 with Paddy Power

Cautions pay with bet builder

After 27 goals were scored in the first nine Premier matches of the weekend, the chances of this game matching or surpassing that average of three look slim. Over 2.5 goals has only landed in four of the past 15 meetings between the sides.

There are usually more cards than goals: seven yellows and a red for Joao Felix were shown in the corresponding match last season and the goalless draw in the return at Stamford Bridge was livened up by five cautions.

We do expect Chelsea to dominate possession and that should help them to force several corners – their tally of 38 in the league this season is surpassed by only six clubs.

Our bet-builder selections reflect all of the above, with cards and corners outweighing goals.

Fulham vs Chelsea tip 3: #BetBuilder – Over 4.5 cards, over 4.5 Chelsea corners, under 2.5 goals @ 2/1 with Paddy Power