Fulham v Chelsea: Prediction, team news, lineups and odds | OneFootball

Football never fails to throw up weird and unlikely angles, and that’s the case at Craven Cottage on Monday night as Fulham host west London neighbours Chelsea.

With Xabi Alonso taking charge of Chelsea for the first time and Alvaro Arbeloa making his debut in the Fulham dugout, this is not just a local derby, it’s also a match-up between the last two managers of Real Madrid.

Both Alonso and Arbeloa are also ex-Liverpool players – they played 46 league games alongside each other – so expect a warm embrace ahead of the Premier League’s first Monday night offering of the season.

Fulham v Chelsea kick-off time

Fulham v Chelsea kicks off at 8pm BST on Monday, August 24 at Craven Cottage.

Fulham v Chelsea how to watch

The game will be shown live in the UK via Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting from 7pm.

TalkSPORT will provide full match commentary.

Fulham team news

Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios have followed Arbeloa from Real Madrid to Fulham and Garcia should be the focal point of the attack on Monday night.

Oscar Bobb, Josh King and Kevin are expected to be the three in behind.

Fulham must cope without central defender Joachim Anderson, who is serving a suspension, while club captain Tom Cairney is out injured.

Chelsea team news

Chelsea spent heavily in the transfer market again and three of their summer signings should go straight into the starting XI.

Maxence Lacroix is set to slot into a three-man central defence while Marco Palestra could play on the left of a midfield four.

Further forward, Morgan Rogers is likely to form part of an exciting front three alongside Cole Palmer and striker Joao Pedro, who has just signed a new long-term deal.

Defender Wesley Fofana is banned, while Jordan Henderson is still recovering from a wrist injury sustained in the aftermath of England’s World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico in July.

Emmanuel Emegha and Aaron Anselmino are both sidelined with hamstring injuries, but Danny Welbeck and Mamadou Sarr should be available for selection after recovering from minor issues.

Fulham v Chelsea odds

Chelsea are 17/20 odds-on favourites to win the match.

Fulham are 27/10 while The Draw is 3/1.

Despite finishing 10th last season, Chelsea are considered realistic title challengers. They’re fourth favourites at 8/1.

Fulham are 5/1 for relegation.

Fulham v Chelsea prediction

Chelsea have failed to win their opening Premier League game in each of the last three campaigns but it could be different here.

It’s been a tough pre-season for Fulham as they try to fill the gaps left by departed duo Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.

Chelsea lost at Craven Cottage last season after Marc Cucurella was sent off in the 22nd minute but they’d won six of the previous seven there.

There’s every reason to expect another away victory and Chelsea to win by exactly two goals at 9/2 is worth a play.

Joao Pedro scored seven times in pre-season so is an obvious anytime scorer bet at 11/8.

Morgan Rogers boasted some superb numbers with Aston Villa and he can play a big part too.

Joao Pedro to score and Rogers to register an assist pays around 7/1.