Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Chelsea’s surprising 2:1 loss to Legia Warsaw in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals did not stop them from reaching the next stage. In their upcoming English Premier League fixture against Fulham, the team must deliver a committed performance, as they are still chasing a place in next season’s Champions League.
Fulham
Despite a spirited 3:2 win over Liverpool two rounds ago, Fulham have now lost three of their last four matches. In their trip to face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium (0:1), they conceded within the first minute and ended the match with 1.86 in xGA — a result that essentially dashed any remaining hopes of European qualification. At Craven Cottage, Fulham have struggled defensively, conceding 23 goals from 17.93 in xGA.
Chelsea
The defeat to Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge ended a four-match unbeaten streak for Chelsea in all competitions. Last week, they came from two goals down to draw 2:2 against Ipswich Town, with Jadon Sancho coming off the bench to salvage a point for the team. On the road, Chelsea have accumulated 29.86 xG in 16 matches — a statistic surpassed only by Bournemouth (33.03) and Liverpool (40.28) in the English Premier League.
Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction
At Craven Cottage, Fulham have lost five of their last six home matches against Chelsea since April 2013. We are backing the visitors with a safe handicap (0) — they have significantly more to play for as the season draws to a close.
