Chelsea FC vs Fulham FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Chelsea FC vs Fulham FC Match Prediction & Analysis

After breaking the British record for the transfer fees spent last summer, Chelsea have gone and smashed the record once again in the January window.

Chelsea’s new owners, led by Todd Boehly, have injected close to £600m into the club since the summer, an incredible amount of money in such a short space of time. 

Make no mistake, they will expect a return on their investment in the form of footballing success and the pressure will increase on Graham Potter’s shoulders with his team down in 10th place.

Fulham do not have the luxury of hundreds of millions to spend in each transfer window, although the squad they have has done well so far this campaign. 

They remain in 7th place, and indeed beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture just a few weeks ago. The Cottagers have lost their last two in the league, however, as well as drawing at home to Sunderland in the FA Cup.

We’re sure to see a star-studded line-up from Chelsea here.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Chelsea FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Injection of cash means several talented players have joined the club

     Haven’t lost at home to Fulham since 1979

Reasons to be fearful:

     Multiple players, including Sterling, Felix and Kante remain out

     Just two wins from their last six in the league

Where does an extra £300m of investment put this Chelsea team? Are they now favourites to go on and claim a top four spot this season?

Ten points is currently the gap between the Blues and the Champions League places and with Potter’s side not exactly in the best form right now, there would need to be a huge momentum shift.

Of their January signings, Mykhailo Mudryk is the most likely to make an immediate impact. He came on against Liverpool and looked lively to say the least. 

Enzo Fernandez, the new £105m signing, is likely to come straight into the team with Kante and Zakaria injured and Jorginho departing to Arsenal. 

Reece James and Ben Chilwell are back in training although this game is expected to come too soon for them. Benoit Badiashile is expected to continue in defence after two clean sheets in his first two appearances.

Star Man – Mykhailo Mudryk

Mudryk became the quickest player in the Premier League this season when he came on against Liverpool. In his first 10 minutes in a Chelsea shirt, he had fans licking their lips at his potential.

Fulham FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Beat Chelsea 2-1 a few weeks ago at Craven Cottage

     No side has won more league games since the World Cup than Fulham - four

Reasons to be fearful

     However, they are on the verge of losing three on the bounce

     They have the lowest win rate in London derbies at 19%

Beating Chelsea 2-1 was symbolic of Fulham’s season so far, with Marco Silva guiding the west London club comfortably in the top half.

They returned well from the World Cup break, winning their next four league games and progressing through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

However, a small wobble has seen them lose their next two in the league and they now face a replay in the cup after drawing to Sunderland. Their league position could be under threat if they lose for a third time here.

The Cottagers traditionally have a poor record against Chelsea and against London teams altogether, winning just 1 in 5, on average.

Star Man – Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham’s best player missing their win over Chelsea, but wasn’t needed in the end. Here, he’ll need to occupy Chelsea’s centre backs to good effect if Fulham are to claim a similar result.