Chelsea vs Fulham Preview, Prediction, Odds, Betting Tips 26.12.2024

• Date and Time: Thursday, December 26, 15:00 GMT+1
• Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England

Chelsea vs Fulham Preview

Chelsea 

Chelsea unexpectedly became a contender for the title this season. However, their defensive performance remains a concern for any serious hopes of winning the Premier League.

In the last two matches against Brentford and Everton, it was noticeable that the Blues still have problems with the organization of a high defensive line. Their defenders are not always ready to make the right decisions. 

Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi are still unstable, while Wesley Fofana continues to recover from injury. It’s possible that Enzo Maresca will put more trust in Tosin Adarabioyo, who played well in the match against Everton. 

Enzo offers his Everton reaction… ✊#CFC | #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/DKMln0VRXO

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2024

It’s vital that Chelsea enhance their compactness in defense and improve the transition from attack to defense. These changes could have a very positive impact on their chances of winning the Premier League title.

Offensively, the Blues create many dangerous chances in almost every match. Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are performing particularly well. However, in the game against Everton, Chelsea players struggled to take advantage of their chances in the first half, and in the second half, they failed to register a single dangerous shot on goal. 

Proud of the boys. ✊#CFC | #EVECHE

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2024

This is due primarily to Everton’s intense and organized play in a low defensive block. While Maresca’s team had a lot of possession, they could not create any chances in the final third. Chelsea attacked more effectively against opponents who used high pressing and left space near the penalty area, which the Blues could exploit.

Fulham

Fulham did not lose their last five matches, but they only won once. Marco Silva’s side impressed at the start of the season with their spectacular attacking play, thanks to structured positional attacks. Rodrigo Muniz and Raúl Jiménez scored regular goals.

Due to fatigue and regular injuries to attacking players, Fulham’s offensive performance has declined towards the middle of the season. Since the first of November, the Cottagers have created a minimal number of dangerous chances in eight games. They rank among the three worst teams in the Premier League for expected goals scored during that period.

Wasting no time to leave an impression on the @premierleague. 👑 pic.twitter.com/iDVEKnEdgq

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 22, 2024

The main source of creating chances for Fulham have been counterattacks, although these rarely result in actual goals. However, the Cottagers‘ ability to convert chances has improved, which has helped them stay in the top five of the Premier League.

Despite frequent individual errors in the defensive phase, Marco Silva’s team still demonstrates a strong defensive capability and ranks third in terms of expected goals conceded.

Chelsea vs Fulham Head-to-Head Statistics

Fulham have never won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. The last time they scored an away goal was in 2011. Since then, they’ve failed to score against the Blues in six consecutive away games.

Last season, Chelsea defeated Fulham twice: first, 2-0, at Craven Cottage, and then 1-0 at home in the second match.

Chelsea vs Fulham Player Focus

Nicolas Jackson has unexpectedly become one of the Premier League’s best-scoring strikers with nine Premier League goals. He’s also made three assists and regularly helps his partners create combinations in front of their opponent’s penalty area.

Additionally, Jackson is an excellent presser and counter-presser, making him one of the Blues‘ most valuable players this season.

Chelsea vs Fulham Preview, Tactical Analysis

Fulham defended reasonably well in the medium-low and low defensive blocks in the games against Arsenal and Liverpool, resulting in draws against these top opponents. In such high-profile matches, the Cottagers players usually maintain a high level of concentration and avoid positional errors in defense.

If they can replicate this level of performance against Chelsea, it’s likely that Marco Silva’s team will not lose the match.

The Blues, on the other hand, will probably try to start as intensely as possible to avoid conceding quick goals against Fulham.

Chelsea vs Fulham Prediction

• Football Pick: Shots on target. Chelsea to win
• Odds: 1.55 (22Bet)
• Score prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Fulham

The visitors are expected to play in a defensive manner, making few counterattacks, similar to their tactics in matches against Arsenal and Liverpool. In those matches, Fulham’s opponents had more on-target shots. We can expect that Chelsea will also have a higher number of shots in the next game.

Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Noni Madueke, and Nicolas Jackson can shoot from any position quite accurately at the opponent’s goal. If the visitors defend in a low block, Chelsea’s attacking players will take shots, many of which will be on target.

Chelsea vs Fulham Prediction, Betting Tip

• Football Pick: Player to score or provide an assist. Cole Palmer
• Odds: 1.44 (22Bet)

Cole Palmer has not been involved in goals for three consecutive matches, but it’s possible that he’ll make an assist or score in the game against Fulham. He’s in excellent form and has created many dangerous chances in previous matches. However, he and his teammates have not been able to capitalize on them.

I believe that in the match against Fulham, Palmer is poised to deliver a strong performance.

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