Fulham vs. Chelsea Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 20 April 2025 - bettingexpert

The Premier League clash between Fulham and Chelsea on 20 April 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter at Craven Cottage. The match, scheduled to kick off at 14:00, is critical for both sides, each aiming to secure a place in European competitions next season.

Fulham sit ninth in the league with 48 points, coming off a mixed set of results, including a significant victory against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Chelsea, positioned sixth with 54 points, has shown inconsistency, evidenced by their recent 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town.

Referee Anthony Taylor will oversee the match, known for his high card average and penchant for penalties, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Injuries to key players, Reiss Nelson and Harry Wilson, may hinder Fulham, while Chelsea must cope without Gabriel Slonina and Wesley Fofana.

Given Chelsea’s form and Fulham’s resilience at home, this match could end in a draw. Expect a tactical battle, with both teams striving for supremacy.

Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction & Betting Tip

• Recommended bet: Draw.
  Chelsea have drawn their last two games and are away at Fulham, suggesting a tight match.
  Both teams are just a few points apart, fighting for a spot in the top seven.
  Fulham’s solid home form and Chelsea’s inconsistency may lead to a stalemate.
  Expect a tactical battle with both teams struggling to break each other down.

Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Draw	3.48

• Both teams have similar standings, making it a well-balanced tie.
• Chelsea’s recent tendency to draw their matches increases the likelihood of another.
• Fulham’s home resilience could match Chelsea’s attacks, leading to a close contest.

Fulham vs Chelsea Odds

The odds for this Premier League clash have Chelsea as slight favorites, but not by much. Bookmaker odds reflect a tight contest, with Chelsea’s slight edge likely due to their higher league position and recent clean sheet record. Fulham, on the other hand, have proven strong at home, making this a potential battleground for both teams.

Fulham vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Fulham	2.78
Draw	3.48
Chelsea	2.44

Despite Chelsea’s slight edge, both teams are close in the table, suggesting bettors could see value in predicting a draw, given the competitiveness and recent form of both squads.

Fulham Team Analysis

Fulham Recent Performance

Fulham’s recent form includes a mixed bag of results, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. Here’s their recent performance in detail:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Bournemouth	Fulham	2025-04-14	Premier League	1-0 (Loss)
Fulham	Liverpool	2025-04-06	Premier League	3-2 (Win)
Arsenal	Fulham	2025-04-01	Premier League	2-1 (Loss)
Fulham	Crystal Palace	2025-03-29	FA Cup	0-3 (Loss)
Fulham	Tottenham	2025-03-16	Premier League	2-0 (Win)

Fulham have been inconsistent, scoring an average of 1.2 goals per game in their last five matches. Despite a solid 3-2 win over Liverpool, they have struggled defensively, only securing one clean sheet during this period. This inconsistency is reflected in their fluctuating performances, from high-scoring wins to heavy losses. Their performance at home has been more reliable, which could be a crucial factor against Chelsea.

Fulham Key Players

Fulham will be banking on their key players to deliver against Chelsea. Raul Jimenez, Fulham’s top scorer with 10 goals this season, will be crucial in breaking down Chelsea’s robust defense. Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi, and Ryan Sessegnon provide creativity from midfield positions, while Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge anchor the defensive midfield.

A key individual battle will be Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz vs Chelsea’s Levi Colwill in defense. If Fulham’s attack can breach Chelsea’s defense, it may swing the game in their favor.

Expected lineup for Fulham:

• Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
• Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson
• Midfielders: Sasa Lukic, Sander Berge, Ryan Sessegnon, Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi
• Forward: Rodrigo Muniz

Fulham Suspensions & Injuries

Fulham will have to navigate their match against Chelsea without a couple of key players due to injuries. This could impact their overall team dynamics, especially in creating attacking chances and maintaining defensive solidity.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Reiss Nelson	Hamstring Injury	Early May 2025
Harry Wilson	Foot Injury	Late April 2025

The absence of Reiss Nelson and Harry Wilson may limit Fulham’s attacking options, putting more pressure on Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz to find the back of the net. The midfield will also need to step up to provide additional support in both defensive and offensive phases of play.

Fulham Tactics and Formation

Fulham Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Rodrigo Muniz
• Midfield Trio:
  • System: Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge as defensive midfielders
  • Attacking: Andreas Pereira as the central playmaker
• Defensive Setup:
  • Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson as full-backs providing width
  • Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey solidifying the central defence

Fulham aims to maintain solid defensive coverage while leveraging the creative abilities of Pereira to connect with Muniz up front. With Nelson and Wilson out, additional attacking responsibility falls on Ryan Sessegnon and Alex Iwobi on the wings. Look for a balance between cautious defending and quick transitions.

Chelsea Team Analysis

Chelsea Recent Performance

Chelsea have had a mixed bag of results lately, showcasing a form of WLDDW over their last five games. The Blues have demonstrated some solidity at the back with three clean sheets in their last five matches, but their inconsistency in front of goal has been a concern.
Here’s a closer look at Chelsea’s recent outings:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Chelsea	Legia Warszawa	2025-04-17	Conference League	1-2 (Loss)
Chelsea	Ipswich	2025-04-13	Premier League	2-2 (Draw)
Legia Warszawa	Chelsea	2025-04-10	Conference League	0-3 (Win)
Brentford	Chelsea	2025-04-06	Premier League	0-0 (Draw)
Chelsea	Tottenham	2025-04-03	Premier League	1-0 (Win)

Chelsea’s ability to secure clean sheets in three of their last five matches underlines their defensive strength. However, with an average of 1.4 goals scored per game in the same period, they will need to improve their attacking output to maintain their hopes of finishing in the top seven of the Premier League.

Chelsea Key Players

Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, have several key players who can make a substantial impact against Fulham.
Expected lineup for Chelsea:

• Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
• Defenders: Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella
• Midfielders: Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
• Forward: Nicolas Jackson

Cole Palmer has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season, netting 14 goals. His attacking prowess will be crucial. Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo will aim to dominate the midfield battle with their dynamic play. Keep an eye on Nicolas Jackson, who will be up against Fulham’s Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey. This duel could be pivotal in determining Chelsea’s attacking success.

Chelsea Suspensions & Injuries

Chelsea have several key absentees for their upcoming match against Fulham due to injuries.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Gabriel Slonina	Finger injury	Doubtful
Marc Guiu	Hamstring injury	Early May 2025
Omari Kellyman	Hamstring injury	Out for season
Wesley Fofana	Muscle injury	Out for season

These absences might impact Chelsea’s depth, especially in defence, as both Omari Kellyman and Wesley Fofana are out for the season. Meanwhile, Marc Guiu and Gabriel Slonina’s doubtful status leaves gaps in midfield and goalkeeper options, respectively. Enzo Maresca will need to rely on his squad’s resilience and adaptability to mitigate these absences.

Chelsea Tactics and Formation

Chelsea’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Nicolas Jackson
• Midfield Trio: Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions

Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, predominantly adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation. Robert Sanchez will start between the sticks, protected by a backline comprising Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella. In midfield, Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández will anchor, providing cover and linking play to the attacking trio – Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto. With Nicolas Jackson leading the attack, expect Chelsea to utilize their pace and quick transitions to catch Fulham off guard. High pressing and ball retention are pivotal, making it a potential tactical showdown at Craven Cottage.

Fulham vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Statistics

Fulham	Chelsea	Date	Competition	Result
Chelsea	Fulham	2024-12-26	Premier League	1-2 (Win)
Chelsea	Fulham	2024-01-13	Premier League	1-0 (Loss)
Fulham	Chelsea	2023-10-02	Premier League	0-2 (Loss)
Chelsea	Fulham	2023-07-30	Club Friendlies	2-0 (Loss)
Chelsea	Fulham	2023-02-03	Premier League	0-0 (Draw)

In their last five encounters, Chelsea have had the upper hand with three wins, while Fulham secured one victory, and one match ended in a draw.

Fulham managed an impressive 2-1 victory in their most recent meeting in December 2024.

Chelsea have historically scored first in 71% of their matches against Fulham over the past five seasons, often setting the tone early.

These stats suggest a competitive match ahead at Craven Cottage!

Odds accurate as of 18/04/2025 14:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.