Premier League: Egg-Scellent West London Derby in Store for Easter Weekend

Fulham vs Chelsea

It was mentioned the other week that it’s been quite unusual for three sides from west London to be faring so well in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
For me, the progress of Fulham (and Brentford) has been the most impressive of all, especially given the weight of those clubs combined cannot match the powerful wealth of Chelsea.

Yet who would bet against the Cottagers from undermining their capital rivals’ bid for a Champions League place this Easter weekend.

I certainly wouldn’t as they have the added incentive of trying to boost their own European football hopes in the process.

 

Talking Points

Fulham showed just how effective they can be in their last home league match when they gave runaway leaders Liverpool a torrid time en route to a 3-2 success.

It was a contest which showed they can cause problems even for the leading clubs with a number of potential match winners in their ranks.

On the flipside, what must frustrate SBOTOP’s Fulham followers is that, for all their Premier League 2025 highlights eight days earlier, they then looked stunned as they found themselves a goal down after less than a minute at Bournemouth on Monday night.

Marco Silva’s side slowly settled into the game, but were ultimately punished for not putting away the few chances they had.

They cannot afford a repeat against their west London neighbours.

This SBOTOP scribe suspects their main issue this summer may be trying to keep hold of a few of their top men, just as they struggled and eventually had to relent in allowing Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joao Palhinha to depart in successive summers,

Of course, the lure of European football would be a big carrot to keep anyone who may be catching the eye of envious rivals and this game may be crucial in that endeavour.

Chelsea will have been in action in midweek but, given they are playing at the lowest level possible in Europe – the Europa Conference League – and could afford to rest players for the second leg of their quarter-final at home to Legia Warsaw, fatigue should not be a factor.

After all, while they may be juggling games aplenty at home and abroad, manager Enzo Maresca has a squad around the 40-player mark so his players should be fresh as they aim to hold off the challenge of champions Manchester City and Newcastle in the race to secure a top five finish – it was confirmed last week that five spots will go to English clubs next season.

As it stands, following a 2-2 home draw with basement battlers Ipswich Town last weekend, Chelsea find themselves in sixth position. That makes this game a must-win.

 

History

Fulham are chasing a first ever league double over their neighbours after their memorable last gasp win at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

Then Rodrigo Muniz grabbed a winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete an unexpected late turnaround.

Chelsea had led through Cole Palmer’s 16th minute opener until Harry Wilson’s 82nd minute equaliser.

It was Fulham’s first win at Stamford Bridge since October 1979 in League Division Two when a 2-0 success was sealed with goals from John Beck and Gordon Davies.

It was also only the second time they had beaten Chelsea in 26 clashes.

Chelsea won 2-0 at Craven Cottage last term with Mykhailo Mudryk and Armando Broja netting twice in a minute early in the first half.

Fulham have only defeated Chelsea twice on their own turf in the past 20 years.

The overall record stands at 13 Fulham victories, 51 Chelsea wins and 27 draws.

Fulham won the first ever meeting 1-0 at Craven Cottage in December 1910 in League Division Two.

 

Betting Tip

Chelsea are favourites with the Premier League 2025 betting odds but it’s nothing like as clear cut as many would expect.

The big-spending Blues can be backed in a variety of ways, including 1X2 @ 2.35 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.11

Or how about going for another Fulham win to savour in front of the Thames with Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.80 or 1X2 @ 2.75?

If Chelsea are to repeat the meeting from last season and win 2-0, then Correct Score offers you odds of @ 12.50, but a league double for Fulham, again by the score of 2-1, will be tidy too and is available @ 10.00.

I did consider the 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 but I am going to plump for a memorable home win and a *** tip of Fulham 1X2 @ 2.35.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.