Chelsea welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon and are favourites to win the West London derby.
The Cottagers did beat Arsenal in their last Premier League outing but haven’t been good travellers this season. And while Fulham don’t have far to come, Chelsea are finally making their backyard a fortress.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men could overtake 7th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion with a win, but Fulham can only climb to 12th. Marco Silva’s side are resigned to the bottom-half of the table regardless of Saturday’s result.
Chelsea enjoying upturn in form

Chelsea are currently 10th in the league with 28 points from 20 games. The Blues have won three of their last four outings and boast two wins on the bounce. Pochettino’s men have been solid at Stamford Bridge too, with three wins in a row at home.
Chelsea have only lost one of their last six home games, so Fulham have a tough task getting a result. Arsenal and Manchester City have dropped points at the Bridge in recent weeks, so Pochettino’s men are the real deal. Chelsea have a one-sided head-to-head with the Cottagers too, so history is on their side.
Fulham have been inconsistent

Fulham are 13th in the table with 24 points from 20 games. The Cottagers had lost three consecutive outings but recently beat Arsenal to stop the rot. Silva’s men have lost half their games this season, however, so they’re more vulnerable than 2022/23.
Playing away from home has been a real problem for the West Londoners too. Only Newcastle United (5) and Sheffield United (2) have picked up fewer points on the road. Fulham are winless in their last nine away games and have lost their last four. The Cottagers have shipped three or more goals in each of those four defeats, so they’re porous at the back.
Chelsea have dominated this fixture

Chelsea are close neighbours with Fulham, but they have dominated this fixture for decades.
The Blues haven’t lost at home to Fulham since the late-1970s and have only dropped points twice in 12 years. Fulham have managed just one win over Chelsea since 2006 and aren’t in great shape this weekend.
Chelsea beat the Cottagers 2-0 in the away fixture, so they shouldn’t slip up at home.