Football
Chelsea v Fulham odds : Overnight money for Chelsea and Joao Pedro
Chelsea welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge on Saturday for the first West London derby of the Premier League season.
Chelsea have been heavily backed overnight, shortening into 8/13 favourites to take all three points. Fulham remain outsiders, while the draw trades around 3/1.
In the goalscorer markets, Joao Pedro looks popular with punters at 9/2 to score first and 13/10 anytime. For Fulham, Emile Smith Rowe is priced at 12/1 to net the opener or 4/1 to score anytime.
Dave James, football odds expert at whataretheodds.co.uk, said:
“Chelsea are attracting plenty of money in the outright market, and their price has tumbled into 8/13. Joao Pedro looks the danger man, he’s lively, gets into good positions, was on fire last time out and it’s no surprise to see him backed to score. At the other end, Emile Smith Rowe offers some value. At 12/1 first goalscorer, he could be worth a small punt given his impact off the bench last time out.”
Chelsea come into this clash buoyed by a late fightback against West Ham last weekend. Lucas Paqueta had threatened to spoil the party with an opener for the Hammers, but the Blues responded strongly through Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah to secure the win.
That result followed an opening-day goalless draw with Crystal Palace.
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have been building momentum. Having lifted the Conference League and the Club World Cup earlier this year, they’ve now won 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions.
The only concern for Blues fans is Cole Palmer’s injury, which leaves his involvement in doubt. That could see Joao Pedro and Liam Delap paired in attack.
Fulham, meanwhile, have been difficult to beat. They’ve drawn both of their opening league games, first against Brighton and then impressively against Manchester United, where Emile Smith Rowe struck in the 73rd minute to cancel out a Rodrigo Muniz own goal.
The Cottagers also enjoyed midweek success, beating Bristol City 2-0 in the Carabao Cup thanks to Raul Jimenez and an early own goal.
Marco Silva’s men have defensive issues to resolve. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league matches, a run they’ll need to halt quickly if they are to get a result at Stamford Bridge.
FA Cup favourites Arsenal have been handed a trip to League One side Mansfield Town as they continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple.
FA Cup fifth round draw in full
Fulham v Southampton
Port Vale/Bristol City v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Leeds United v Norwich City
Mansfield Town v Arsenal
Wolves v Liverpool
Wrexham v Chelsea
West Ham v Brentford
Mansfield are through to the fifth round for the first time since 1975. They followed up an eye-catching third-round victory over Sheffield United by coming from behind to stun Premier League outfit Burnley in the fourth round.
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There are three all-Premier League ties in the draw. Newcastle United host Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Liverpool, while West Ham United face Brentford. Brentford reached this stage after eliminating sixth-tier Macclesfield.
Wrexham have been rewarded with a glamour home tie against Chelsea, while Daniel Farke will face his former club as Leeds United take on Norwich City at Elland Road.
The fifth round ties are scheduled to take place over the weekend of 7th and 8th March.
Nottingham Forest are searching for a new head coach after parting company with Sean Dyche.
Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers proved to be Dyche’s final match in charge, bringing an end to a brief spell that began in October following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou.
Forest sit 17th in the Premier League table, just three points above the relegation zone, and are now preparing to appoint their fourth manager of the season.
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Here are some of the leading contenders.
Vitor Pereira
The former Wolves boss is expected to feature prominently in the betting. Pereira left Molineux in November 2025 with the club at the foot of the table, yet his broader CV remains strong.
He has won league titles in Portugal and China and guided Olympiacos to the Greek Super League crown. That success in Greece could appeal to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Kieran McKenna
McKenna has been linked with several top-flight roles since leading Ipswich Town to promotion in 2023/24.
Known for encouraging a high-tempo style, he has also shown flexibility in adapting his approach to different opponents. Whether he would leave Ipswich while they remain in the promotion mix is uncertain, but Forest may view him as a long-term appointment.
Marco Silva
Silva’s contract at Fulham is due to expire at the end of the season and there has been little indication he will extend his stay at Craven Cottage.
The Portuguese coach has delivered stability, guiding Fulham to three straight mid-table finishes after promotion in 2021/22. Forest were previously linked with him following Postecoglou’s exit and could revisit that interest.
Enzo Maresca
Marinakis has shown ambition since acquiring Forest in 2017 and could turn to former Chelsea manager Maresca.
Although dismissed, Maresca oversaw a fourth-place Premier League finish and UEFA Conference League success in 2024/25. The Italian may seek a project offering backing and time, which Forest would need to guarantee if they retain top-flight status.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Solskjær has been out of work since departing Beşiktaş J.K. earlier this season. He had also been linked with a return to in a temporary capacity before Michael Carrick was appointed.
During his time at Old Trafford, Solskjær favoured a direct, counter-attacking style that could suit Forest’s current squad. His experience in the Premier League may appeal as the club look to steer clear of the drop.
There is just one Premier League fixture on Thursday night to conclude the midweek programme, with leaders Arsenal heading across the capital to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The visitors sit top of the Premier League table, but the pressure remains firmly on as the title race tightens. Mikel Arteta’s side know any slip-up could prove costly at this stage of the campaign.
Brentford have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages under Keith Andrews. The Bees are firmly in contention for a Champions League place and will see this clash as an opportunity to strengthen their position in the European race.
Successive away wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle have kept their European hopes alive and confidence is high in west London.
Bet Builder Predictions
Draw
Igor Thiago to commit 2+ fouls
Noni Madueke to score or assist
A Bet Builder featuring those selections is priced at approximately 15/1 with Bet365
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Despite their strong overall campaign, Brentford’s record in home London derbies is less convincing. The Bees have won just one of their last 11 such matches in the Premier League, drawing six and losing four.
They are winless in seven home London derbies since a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
Brentford famously beat Arsenal in their first ever Premier League match in August 2021, but they have not tasted victory against the Gunners in nine meetings across all competitions since, losing five of the last six encounters.
Arsenal’s position at the summit could look tighter by kick-off. Manchester City’s midweek result has cut the gap, meaning Mikel Arteta’s side may arrive in west London with only a three-point cushion.
The Gunners have been formidable in London derbies. They have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League matches against fellow capital clubs and only one of their last 20 away games against London opposition.
Defensively, Arsenal have set the standard this season.
No side has conceded fewer than their 17 league goals and they have kept four clean sheets in their last five top-flight outings. That resilience will be key again on Thursday.