Fulham vs Chelsea: Match preview, betting tips and predictions.

Fulham vs Chelsea: Match preview, betting tips and predictions - Premier League Matchweek 19

 

Ben Chilwell will be available for selection when Chelsea make the short trip to Craven Cottage to negotiate Fulham on Saturday. Photo credit: (Premierleague.com)

Fulham vs Chelsea

Craven Cottage

6:30pm

 

Chelsea have rested enough, with their manager under intense pressure and names flying over his balding head with respect to his dugout seat, Fulham might have other ideas for him.

 

Not many expected the kind of result Fulham got against Tottenham, one point forward in the relegation fight, while they’re far away from safety, a significant point against one of the big sides is a huge morale booster, for belief and confidence.

Chelsea must beat Fulham, for them it’s not a matter of efforts, it’s not a matter of attempt counts but real results, maximum three points and some sleek football must accompany it, the players know this, Frank Lampard knows this and nothing short of that will be acceptable.

For the Lilywhites, they won’t be judged harshly if they lose of course except it’s a scandalous scoreline, it won’t be headline-worthy if they lose to the Blues but they can rival the pandemic for top news of the day with a win of huge significance at Craven Cottage against a team of repute.

In the 1-1 draw against Spurs, Scott Parker’s side was relentless, while lots of credits must be given to Alphonso Areola, the entire midfield also deserve some credits for running at every ball and giving Jose’s Spurs lots to worry about.

Chelsea will welcome almost everyone back and once again, it will be down to Frank Lampard to make a big decision on selection.

Over time, the former Chelsea midfielder has been thrown into different kinds of selection conundrum but he’ll have himself to blame if it goes south with his selection, he acquired them, he has to find a way to field them, after all… it is what it is!

Callum Hudson Odoi is one player Lampard has to give a chance to, each time he plays, he either comes up with a goal or an assist of note, but he rarely plays, the manager is hell-bent on making sure his big money signings perform, but does he know the club would rather change him than change 22 players?

Scott Parker has an easy job, stay compact, stay disciplined and wait for your time, would he start Ademola Lookman on the bench again for super sub role or give him his chance at the start to trouble the Blues?

Chelsea are in 9^th, ten whole points away from the top and six away from top four, if they don’t win this, which should be relatively easy on paper, they will be heaping pressure on their manager and put themselves under the criticism spotlight.

 

Verdict: Chelsea to win