Chelsea v Fulham Prediction

Back Chelsea to get on top of London Derby

Chelsea v Fulham Prediction:

Monday 26th December 2011, Barclays Premier League: 13:00

Author: Thomas Rooney 23/12/2011

London rivals Chelsea and Fulham meet in the Premier League on Boxing Day, with both looking to pick up some crucial points to take into the New Year.

This match actually gets the Boxing Day action underway as it kicks off at 1pm and it should be an entertaining encounter. There is always a good atmosphere when these two meet and with Chelsea set to go all out for the win, there should be goals too.

Andre Villas-Boas’ men will certainly see this as a game they need to win if they are to, at the very least, secure a top four finish this season. A home game against a team in the bottom half should be a guaranteed three points for them.

It is never as easy as that of course, although they will be pleased with their 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Thursday evening. It is a game they could easily have lost and coming away from White Hart Lane with a point must be seen as a positive.

It means they are 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City though, so after the two draws in succession – they were held at Wigan before the Tottenham game – they definitely need to get back to winning ways.

The Blues need to continue their improved run of form at home too. Stamford Bridge hasn’t been its normal fortress this year, but they have won their last three Premier League games on home soil and they need this to continue.

It seems likely that they will be active in January too – Gary Cahill and Jack Rodwell have been linked – so this is another chance for the current crop to show Villas Boas that they deserve to be part of his future plans.

As for Fulham, they are without doubt the underdogs going into this one, as they were heading into the recent 5-0 defeat to Manchester United during the week.

The most important result for the Cottagers this month though was the 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers. This means they are four points clear of the drop zone, which is still a fragile position, but it could be much worse.

Going into this one, they should take note of Chelsea’s slightly unconvincing home form this season. They should look to hassle them from the very first whistle and hush the Stamford Bridge crowd.

Martin Jol’s men do have talented players, its just that they haven’t clicked as much as they would like this season. Boxing Day needs to be a day where it all comes together if they are to get something.

Otherwise, after two wins in seven Premier League games and crashing out of Europe, Craven Cottage wouldn’t exactly be the happiest place going into 2012.

Unfortunately for them though, this game is one Chelsea will be extremely motivated for and one the home side should win. Fulham will have spells on top, but Villas-Boas and his team will eventually get the job done.

Match bet: Chelsea on the Asian Handicap -1.5 @ 1/1 with Bet365 - (Ł200 free bets)

Correct score prediction: Chelsea 3:1 Fulham 3:0 Wigan @ 13 with Betfair