The highly anticipated Chelsea vs Fulham West London derby promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to secure valuable points in the Premier League. Fulham, aiming for their first league double over Chelsea, come into the match in solid form, while Chelsea will look to bounce back from their recent struggles. The derby will be crucial for both sides as they strive to finish the season strong and improve their league positions. Let’s take a closer look at the team news, key match facts, and predictions for this vital fixture.
Date, Kick-Off Time, and Venue
- Match: Chelsea vs Fulham
- Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 4:00 PM BST
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Where to Watch Chelsea vs Fulham
- TV Channel (UK): TNT Sports 2
- Live Stream: TNT Sports subscribers can watch the match live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Team News
Fulham:
- No fresh injury concerns for Fulham ahead of the West London derby.
- Harry Wilson, who has been out since January due to a foot injury, is back in training and could make his return.
- Rodrigo Muniz has been in fine form in London derbies, scoring in three of his last five Premier League matches and boasting a solid goal-scoring ratio of one goal every 76 minutes in these fixtures.
- Tom Cairney continues to be a key squad player, with 38 substitute appearances in the Premier League since last season, the most of any player.
Chelsea:
- Romeo Lavia, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury for the past month, is fit again and available for selection.
- Enzo Maresca is expected to recall several key players who were rested during the midweek UEFA Conference League match, including Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Levi Colwill.
- Chelsea has been struggling away from home, with just one win in their last six away matches in the Premier League. Their recent form has been inconsistent, but they are looking to improve as they face Fulham.
Match Facts
Head-to-Head: Chelsea vs Fulham
- Fulham has a chance to do the league double over Chelsea for the first time in 40 years, adding extra motivation for the home side.
- Chelsea has won five of their last six Premier League away games against Fulham, but they will need to overcome their recent away form struggles.
Fulham’s Recent Form:
- Fulham have alternately won or lost their last eight matches in the Premier League, showing inconsistency in their results.
- They are aiming for a third consecutive home win in the league for the first time since December 2023.
- Fulham has named an unchanged starting XI nine times this season, the most by any team except Newcastle.
Chelsea’s Recent Form:
- Chelsea has won three of their last six league games, but they have struggled to maintain consistency with five wins in 16 matches since December.
- They have not won away in the Premier League since 8 December, with three draws and five losses in their subsequent away games.
- Chelsea’s attacking struggles are evident, as they have scored just three goals in their last eight away matches, with a dismal 3% shot conversion rate.
Key Players to Watch
- Rodrigo Muniz: The Brazilian forward has been a standout performer for Fulham in London derbies, and his ability to convert chances will be crucial in this high-stakes match.
- Harry Wilson: Returning from injury, Wilson could be a game-changer with his creativity and ability to score goals. His return to fitness adds an extra dimension to Fulham’s attack.
- Enzo Fernandez: The Chelsea midfielder is expected to play a key role in controlling the midfield and driving the team forward after his rest in the midweek match.
- Cole Palmer : With Chelsea struggling for goals, Palmer’s pace and creativity could be vital in breaking down Fulham’s defense.
Prediction: Chelsea vs Fulham
With Fulham in good form and looking to make history with a league double over Chelsea, they will be confident heading into this West London derby. Chelsea, on the other hand, has had a disappointing season with struggles away from home. However, they will be determined to overcome these challenges, especially with the return of key players like Lavia and Fernandez.
Given the attacking talent of both teams and the importance of the match for Chelsea’s European ambitions, we predict a 2-1 win for Chelsea, but it will be a closely contested match. Fulham will give them a strong challenge, but Chelsea’s quality should see them edge out the home side and maintain their top-half league position.
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Conclusion: Chelsea vs Fulham – A Must-Win for the Blues
The Chelsea vs Fulham derby is shaping up to be an exciting and crucial match. Fulham will be looking to make history with a league double, while Chelsea will aim to bounce back from their struggles and continue their push for Champions League qualification. With the return of key players, Chelsea should have enough quality to secure the win, but Fulham will make it a difficult task.
