English Premier
2019-03-03 - Fulham vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 3rd March 2019 - Kick Off 2:05pm
This game is live on TV
Fulham
Claudio Ranieri enjoyed fantastic success the last time he was managing in the Premier League by winning the title with Leicester City, but even that tenure ended with a sacking as the club were trying to avoid relegation the following season. He was appointed manager of Fulham back in November with the West London club hoping the Italian could find the magic formula again, but instead it has ended after just 106 days with Fulham almost guaranteed for relegation.
A defeat to Southampton on Wednesday was the final straw for the board as they decided to let Ranieri go with Fulham in 19th place in the Premier League table and closer to Huddersfield Town in 20th place than the safety places. Scott Parker takes over for the rest of the season and faces his former club in the first match in charge as he looks to help Fulham improve their 4-3-6 record at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
Fulham have won 1 of their last 9 games in all competitions and the drop back into the Championship is happening because they have lost 8 of those games including the last 4 in a row. The Cottagers have lost 3 of their last 4 home games in all competitions and they have conceded at least twice in all 4 of those fixtures. Even in the game didn't lose, Fulham were trailing 0-2 to Brighton before stunning them 4-2.
Andre Schurrle is expected to be passed fit to face his former club.
Chelsea
Maurizio Sarri is still trying to stamp his authority on Chelsea Football Club and the battle against the notorious player power in the dressing room saw the manager drop Kepa after his antics in the League Cup Final last Sunday. It could have been a decision that would eventually cost Sarri his job, but the Chelsea players responded to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Wednesday night and reignite the chase for the Champions League spots.
At the moment I would suggest Chelsea are still narrow favourites to edge out Manchester United and Arsenal for the top four because they are just 3 points off those places and with a game in hand. The win over Tottenham Hotspur was huge for them in that respect, but Chelsea have to show more determination away from Stamford Bridge where they have a 7-1-5 record in the Premier League.
Chelsea were crushed 6-0 at Manchester City, but they have responded by losing just 1 of their last 5 games in normal time and winning 3 of those fixtures. The Blues did win at Malmo in the Europa League Last 32 First Leg to snap a run of 4 consecutive away losses in all competitions, but Chelsea still have something to prove after losing 3 in a row on their travels in the Premier League and all without scoring.
Davide Zappacosta is expected to be passed fit, but it would not be a surprise if the team that started the win over Tottenham Hotspur lined up on Sunday afternoon.
Head to Head
Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 at home earlier this season.
Fulham have not won any of the last 8 West London derby games against Chelsea that they have hosted and Chelsea won on their last couple of visits including a 1-3 win in the 2013/14 season.
Prediction
For the third time this season a new face will be leading Fulham out in the Premier League and it looks a very difficult period for a rookie manager like Scott Parker to make an impact.
With 10 games to go and Fulham 10 points from safety it is going to be more than a miracle for them to survive. The fixture list is doing them no favours and Parker has a big test when taking charge against one of his former clubs this weekend.
The only positive for Fulham could be the potential new manager bounce that many clubs experience as the players looked to have lost all faith in Claudio Ranieri. Add to that the really poor form Chelsea have been on away from home and the inconsistencies with form and performance in any derby game and this could be a competitive fixture.
However it remains a long shot as Fulham have been miserable defensively all season and continue to ship goals at an alarming rate. Chelsea may not have scored in their last 3 away Premier League games, but they should be much more confident after two big performances against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur over the last week.
They are also facing a team much weaker than Arsenal, Bournemouth and Manchester City who have beaten Chelsea in their last 3 away Premier League games. Fulham have lost heavily to Arsenal and Manchester United, while Tottenham Hotspur have also won at Craven Cottage as Fulham have conceded at least twice in each of those games.
Fulham have been more competitive at home in general and I think Parker taking over the club will give them a positive feeling, but Chelsea should be too good. It might be wet in West London on Sunday afternoon, but the attacking players for the visitors should have a strong day in the office and I think Chelsea will win a game featuring three or more goals.
I considered backing them on the Asian Handicap, but Fulham could be more competitive than in recent weeks and a 1-2 scoreline would not surprise me in the slightest.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Chelsea to Win & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.20 BetFred
