Chelsea go welcome West London rivals Fulham for Stamford Bridge on Saturday early kickoff, di third London derby wey dem go play back-to-back.
Enzo Maresca boys dey come fresh from one 5-1 demolition of West Ham, while Fulham don draw two games straight, di last one na 1-1 against Manchester United.
Match Preview
For about 20 minutes on August 22, Chelsea fans dey reason say na another bad night as Cole Palmer injure before kickoff, and Lucas Paqueta first put West Ham ahead with one wicked strike.
But na so di Blues vex reply – Joao Pedro score im first Premier League goal for Chelsea before Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah all join for di scoresheet. From sadness, di away end turn celebration mode sharp-sharp.
Even history follow happen as 18-year-old Estevao Willian provide assist wey make am di youngest Chelsea player to do am for Premier League.
With di win, Chelsea don now collect 10 victories from dem last 12 games across all competitions, and di blunt attack against Crystal Palace don turn old story.
Maresca side dey chase more history too: since 2002/03 season, Chelsea never fail to win dem first two home Premier League games, and dem never blank to score in both first two home matches inside di Premier League era. Na only for 1986 dem suffer that kain fate.
As for Fulham, Marco Silva men show resilience against Manchester United. Even after controversial Muniz own goal and one soft penalty decision, dem still come back as substitute Emile Smith Rowe score quick equaliser.
Craven Cottage fans believe say dem deserve more, especially as United keeper Altay Bayindir dey shakey for set-pieces.
That momentum follow continue midweek as Fulham knock out Bristol City 2-0 for EFL Cup second round. But their wahala dey away from home – dem never keep clean sheet for nine straight Premier League away matches.
Last season dem shock Chelsea 2-1 for Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, but dem never win back-to-back games for that ground.
Form
Chelsea Premier League form: W D W
Fulham Premier League form: D D
Team News
Maresca don confirm say Cole Palmer go miss this derby with groin injury. That mean Joao Pedro go pair with Liam Delap up front again.
Chelsea injury list still long – Levi Colwill (ACL), Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, and Omari Kellyman all dey unavailable. Mykhaylo Mudryk dey continue im suspension for alleged anti-doping matter.
For Fulham side, Marco Silva fit get clean bill of health. Harry Wilson na only small doubt after knock for midweek, but Raul Jimenez wey shine for EFL Cup likely go drop to bench as Rodrigo Muniz dey ready to lead attack. Na Muniz sef score late winner for Stamford Bridge last December.
Possible Lineups
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Pedro, Neto; Delap
Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, King, Smith Rowe; Muniz
Prediction
Last season Fulham shock Stamford Bridge, but historically Chelsea dey almost always on top – dem don lose only 8.3% of Premier League meetings against di Cottagers.
Fulham defence no dey solid away, and e go hard make dem repeat di Boxing Day miracle. Expect Chelsea to control game steady and pick three points.
Our Pick: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham