Chelsea vs Fulham Prediction: Hosts too strong at the Bridge

A west London derby kicks-off matchweek three of the new Premier League season as Chelsea welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon (12:30 BST, live on TNT Sports 1).

Chelsea stuck five past West Ham United last time out, while Fulham came from a goal behind to share the spoils with Manchester United. Read on for our Chelsea vs Fulham predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The big miss for Chelsea will be Cole Palmer, as the England international was forced to withdraw from last week's match against the Hammers with a groin problem, so it would be a surprise to see him in action at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

If that's the case, Joao Pedro will start behind Liam Delap in attack, supported by the likes of Pedro Neto and Estevao on the flanks, and Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in midfield.

Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Omari Kellyman are also absent for the hosts.

As for Fulham, Harry Wilson looks to be the only doubt after an enforced substitution in the midweek win over Bristol City in the Carabao Cup.

Raul Jimenez started against the Robins but Rodrigo Muniz will likely lead the line for the Cottagers, who scored a late winner at Stamford Bridge back in December.

Alex Iwobi and Timothy Castagne will retain their places out wide, with Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic being deployed in the engine room.

Chelsea vs Fulham Odds

The hosts are 4/7 favourites, giving them an implied win probability of 63.6%, the draw is 10/3 and a Fulham win can be backed at 5/1.

Pedro leads the anytime goalscorer market at 11/10, followed by Chelsea teammate Delap at 7/5. Jimenez and Muniz are shortest-priced for the visitors at 5/2.

Chelsea to win to nil @ 13/8

The hosts looked toothless in their opening game against Crystal Palace but they put that performance firmly behind them with a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham last Friday.

A pre-game injury to Palmer and an early Hammers goal meant Chelsea were up against it, but three goals in the space of 20 minutes displayed the attacking quality that Enzo Maresca has at his disposal.

Now, we can't see this game being another high-scoring demolition, as the Cottagers are unbeaten in their opening two games, but backing the Blues to win to nil appeals here.

Chelsea have only conceded 18 goals in 20 home league games under Maresca, and Fulham have had to come from behind in both league games this term. So, at 13/8, we're backing the Blues to enjoy a routine victory.

Joao Pedro to score anytime @ 11/10

Pedro was the star of the show at the London Stadium, scoring one and assisting two more at West Ham.

The Brazilian has scored six goals in seven appearances since swapping the Amex Stadium for Stamford Bridge, and the 23-year-old netted in his last meeting with Fulham.

With Palmer expected to be absent once again on Saturday, the goalscoring burden will fall on Pedro's shoulders once again this weekend, so we're backing him to score anytime against the Cottagers.

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