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.
