EPL: Fulham v Chelsea Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: Sunday 3rd March 2019 (Kick-off 3:05 PM CET). 

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.

Prediction: Chelsea to win & Over 2.5 Goals