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.
The pressure at Chelsea has reached breaking point following the departure of Enzo Maresca, with bookmakers already installing a clear favourite to become the club’s next permanent head coach.
Maresca left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day after a damaging run of form that saw Chelsea win just two of their last nine matches in all competitions.
A difficult December ultimately proved decisive, leaving the Blues fifth in the Premier League table and fifteen points adrift of leaders Arsenal, despite more than £250 million being spent on transfers during the summer.
The Italian may feel unfortunate to have lost his job so quickly, particularly after guiding Chelsea to global success in the summer by lifting the FIFA Club World Cup.
Patience from the hierarchy and supporters ran out as performances and results continued to fall short of expectations.
Attention has now turned to potential successors, with Liam Rosenior emerging as the early frontrunner in the betting. Rosenior’s strong work in France with Strasbourg has caught the eye, while his links to BlueCo could make negotiations more straightforward than with external candidates.
Rosenior’s managerial career has followed a steady upward path. He first stepped into management as caretaker at Derby County, before moving on to Hull City, where he oversaw a notable turnaround in fortunes. Despite improving performances and results, his departure after 78 matches was widely viewed as harsh.
Chelsea are expected to attract widespread interest, with several high profile names already prominent in the early markets.
Next permanent Chelsea manager odds
- Liam Rosenior 3/10
- Cesc Fabregas 9/1
- Filipe Luis 10/1
- Francesco Farioli 11/1
- Andoni Iraola 12/1
- Xavi Hernandez 14/1
- Oliver Glasner 14/1
With Chelsea once again searching for stability in the dugout, the coming days are expected to bring further clarity as the club weigh up whether to appoint a familiar face or make another bold move in the managerial market.
The Old Firm derby returns on Saturday lunchtime as Celtic host Rangers at Celtic Park, with pride and momentum firmly on the line in the Scottish Premiership.
This will be the 448th meeting between the Glasgow rivals in major competitions, with both clubs having won 171 matches apiece. With the all time record perfectly balanced, bragging rights are once again up for grabs in one of world football’s most fiercely contested fixtures.
Celtic come into the derby under mounting pressure.
Head coach Wilfried Nancy has endured a difficult start to life in Glasgow, winning just two of his first seven matches in charge and suffering a cup final defeat along the way. Results and performances have failed to win over the support, and another setback on Saturday would only intensify scrutiny on his position.
Midweek damage was done by a 2-0 defeat away to Motherwell, a result that left Celtic three points adrift of league leaders Heart of Midlothian. Confidence appears fragile, although a return to Celtic Park offers some reassurance, with the Hoops having lost just one of their nine league home games so far this season.
Saturday’s clash is the second league meeting between the sides this campaign.
Their August encounter ended in a goalless draw, while Celtic edged past Rangers after extra time in the League Cup semi final despite their rivals being reduced to ten men. The recent trend suggests fine margins, with the last three meetings all ending level and Celtic failing to win any of the last six Old Firm matches inside ninety minutes.
Rangers arrive with renewed belief following an impressive turnaround under Danny Rohl.
When Rohl took charge in October, a title challenge appeared unrealistic, with Rangers trailing Celtic by eight points and Hearts by thirteen at the top of the table.
That outlook has changed dramatically. Rangers have lost just once in eleven league matches under Rohl, winning eight and drawing two, a run that has brought them firmly back into contention.
Victory at Celtic Park would see them draw level with their city rivals and reignite hopes of a sustained push at the summit.
Away from home, Rangers hold the second best record in the division, although draws have been a recurring theme, with four of their nine league trips ending all square.
Celtic Park has also proven a difficult venue in recent seasons, with Rangers winning just one of their last nine league visits.
With both sides carrying pressure and momentum in equal measure, another tight and tense Old Firm contest appears likely. Given recent history, a draw would surprise few in Glasgow on Saturday lunchtime.
Well, the main question on everyones lips is whether Sunderland can maintain their fine start to the Premier League and take all three points against Everton, writes Dave James.
Few could have imagined (I certainly didn’t) Sunderland sitting inside the Premier League’s top four after nine games, but that is exactly where the Black Cats find themselves heading into this Monday night fixture.
Regis Le Bris’ side have matched their best-ever points tally at this stage of a Premier League season, a feat last achieved in 1999, and confidence is high following a stunning 2-1 victory away at Chelsea last weekend.
Back at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland will aim to maintain their impressive home form, having gone unbeaten in four league matches on their own turf this season (W3, D1). However, history is not on their side in this fixture they have lost their last three meetings with Everton without scoring a single goal.
Everton have struggled to find consistency despite a new manager and a spanking new Stadium. After a promising start, David Moyes’ side have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and arrive in the North East on the back of consecutive Premier League defeats.
Their away form is a growing concern, with four losses from their last five away games and three of those ending without a single goal. The Toffees just can’t seem to keep a clean sheet at the back.
This will be the first meeting between Sunderland and Everton since 2017, and both teams have struggled to find the net regularly this season.
Sunderland’s matches have averaged two goals per game, while Everton’s stand at 2.3, suggesting this could be one for the unders markets.
Moyes endured a difficult spell in charge of Sunderland lets not forget, overseeing their relegation from the Premier League in 2017, and his return to the Stadium of Light is unlikely to be a warm one.
The home crowd will be eager to remind him of that chapter, while Sunderland’s players will see this as another chance to underline their impressive progress under Regis Le Bris.
Given the form of both sides and with Sunderland enjoying the advantage of playing at home in front of their vociferous Stadium of Light support, the momentum seems to be with the Black Cats.
At odds of 2/1 across the board, a home win looks like an appealing prospect as Le Bris’ men aim to extend their fine start to the campaign.