Monday Fulham Stuff - 02/10/23...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham v Chelsea

TEAM NEWS
Fulham will continue to assess full-back Kenny Tete, who is nursing a groin problem.

Sasa Lukic is available after resuming training but Tosin Adarabioyo and Adama Traore remain sidelined.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson misses this fixture through suspension, while Malo Gusto serves the second game of a three-match ban.

Ben Chilwell is out with a hamstring injury but Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke may come back into contention.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

    Fulham won the most recent encounter 2-1 at Craven Cottage on 12 January, although that was only their second victory in 32 Premier League meetings.
    Chelsea have had a player sent off in both of their Premier League defeats against the Cottagers: Joao Felix last season and William Gallas during a 1-0 loss in March 2006.
    All three of the Premier League fixtures between the sides on a Monday have ended in a draw.

Fulham

    Fulham are winless in nine consecutive Premier League London derbies since beating Chelsea in January (D4, L5).
    Their last seven league goals have been scored by seven different players, including all five this season.
    Marco Silva is one short of 50 Premier League wins as a manager (D28, L62).
    Andreas Pereira is one shy of 200 career league appearances.

Chelsea

    The Blues have taken five points from six games, their worst start to a top-flight season since 1978-79, when they went on to be relegated.
    Chelsea have failed to score in 13 Premier League matches in 2023, more than any other side, and their highest total in a calendar year since 1995.
    They have won just two of their past 18 league fixtures, taking 12 points.
    Mauricio Pochettino's side rank sixth for expected goals prior to the latest round of Premier League fixtures, but have the competition's second lowest shot conversion rate (5.5%).
    Pochettino is winless in 14 consecutive Premier League away games as a manager since guiding Tottenham to a 2-1 victory at Fulham in January 2019 (D4, L10).
    Raheem Sterling could make his 300th Premier League start.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66909069

[The Cravenette]

link=msg=1457015 date=1696233290]
Goal-shy neighbours set to share the spoils when Fulham and Chelsea lock horns
It says everything about Chelsea's current plight that they are 100/1 to be relegated and 200/1 to win the Premier League title.

Clearly neither is going to happen but, as the odds indicate, the Blues look more likely to face a season of struggle.

Mauricio Pochettino may have been handed a small fortune to invest in new recruits in the summer but there's patently a problem at Stamford Bridge that can't be solved by money alone.

Chelsea create plenty of chances but can't convert them into goals.

Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson has scored just twice in eight appearances since his £35million summer move from Villarreal and the fear must be the 22-year-old is like so many others who have needed time to settle into life in the top flight.

He's not getting much support from his team-mates either and the Blues aren't going to start climbing the table until they start finding the net on a regular basis.

They head to Craven Cottage just one point and three places above the relegation zone.

Fulham have seven points after wins against struggling Sheffield United and Luton and a draw at Arsenal but have also found it difficult to score.

They only time they have hit more than one goal in a league game was against the Gunners so all the indications are the London derby will be short of thrills.

Under 2.5 goals is 17/20 -with 888Sport and can be backed with confidence as there have only been more than that in four of the last 15 matches between the two neighbours.

A 1-1 draw is 6/1 with bet365 but predicting who is going to score those goals is a far trickier proposition.

Raheem Sterling has been anything but sharp in the opposition penalty and his two goals this term were both against Luton but he is worth a small investment to get on the scoresheet at any time at 11/5 with William Hill.

Ex-Wolves man Raul Jimenez has yet to break his duck for Fulham but is 10/3 with the same firm to do so in front of the Monday night cameras.

• Tyler Lockett is 8/5 with William Hill to score a touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football and help them to beat the New York Giants by over 3.5 points, which is 13/10 with Bet Victor.

• Baseball's regular season has finished and the Atlanta Braves were the best team by a mile. The postseason can be a bit of a lottery but they are the worth backing at 3/1 with Betfred to win the World Series.



https://metro.co.uk/2023/10/01/chelseas-struggles-are-set-to-continue-with-a-draw-at-fulham-19585345/?ito=newsnow-feed
[/quote]

quote author=WhiteJC link=msg=1457015 date=1696233290]
Goal-shy neighbours set to share the spoils when Fulham and Chelsea lock horns
It says everything about Chelsea's current plight that they are 100/1 to be relegated and 200/1 to win the Premier League title.

Clearly neither is going to happen but, as the odds indicate, the Blues look more likely to face a season of struggle.

Mauricio Pochettino may have been handed a small fortune to invest in new recruits in the summer but there's patently a problem at Stamford Bridge that can't be solved by money alone.

Chelsea create plenty of chances but can't convert them into goals.

Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson has scored just twice in eight appearances since his £35million summer move from Villarreal and the fear must be the 22-year-old is like so many others who have needed time to settle into life in the top flight.

He's not getting much support from his team-mates either and the Blues aren't going to start climbing the table until they start finding the net on a regular basis.

They head to Craven Cottage just one point and three places above the relegation zone.

Fulham have seven points after wins against struggling Sheffield United and Luton and a draw at Arsenal but have also found it difficult to score.

They only time they have hit more than one goal in a league game was against the Gunners so all the indications are the London derby will be short of thrills.

Under 2.5 goals is 17/20 -with 888Sport and can be backed with confidence as there have only been more than that in four of the last 15 matches between the two neighbours.

A 1-1 draw is 6/1 with bet365 but predicting who is going to score those goals is a far trickier proposition.

Raheem Sterling has been anything but sharp in the opposition penalty and his two goals this term were both against Luton but he is worth a small investment to get on the scoresheet at any time at 11/5 with William Hill.

Ex-Wolves man Raul Jimenez has yet to break his duck for Fulham but is 10/3 with the same firm to do so in front of the Monday night cameras.

• Tyler Lockett is 8/5 with William Hill to score a touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football and help them to beat the New York Giants by over 3.5 points, which is 13/10 with Bet Victor.

• Baseball's regular season has finished and the Atlanta Braves were the best team by a mile. The postseason can be a bit of a lottery but they are the worth backing at 3/1 with Betfred to win the World Series.



https://metro.co.uk/2023/10/01/chelseas-struggles-are-set-to-continue-with-a-draw-at-fulham-19585345/?ito=newsnow-feed

Great work by the Metro. Looking into their crystal ball to reflect on our victory v Sheffield United next week!

[WhiteJC]

Report: Spurs have drawn up a two-man shortlist to replace Eric Dier
Football Insider have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur have identified Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba as potential replacements for Eric Dier in January.

Dier has not played a single minute of football this season, with Ange Postecoglou even naming young Ashley Phillips on the bench ahead of the England international on several occasions this season, including in the clash against Liverpool on Saturday.

Football Insider claim that Spurs are expected to try to offload the 29-year-old, who is contracted to the club until next summer.

Spurs want Tapsoba or Adarabioyo to replace Dier
It is explained that the Lilywhites have already identified Adarabioyo and Taposba as replacements, having explored deals for both players during the recent transfer window.

The report adds that Postecoglou is keen to bolster his options in central defence and the Fulham star could be in the market as he will have just six months left on his contract at Crave Cottage in January.

The publication asserts that Tapsoba is seen 'a premium option' by Tottenham chiefs as he is expected to come with a much heftier price tag after recently penning a new contract at Leverkusen.

Spurs Web Opinion
Tapsoba just signed an extension while Xabi Alonso's men have made a brilliant start to the season.

That likely means that Leverkusen would not consider selling the centre-back in January unless they get a crazy offer. So, Spurs will target one of Adarabioyo or Lloyd Kelly, perhaps even both if they manage to offload Dier.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-spurs-have-drawn-up-a-two-man-shortlist-to-replace-eric-dier/

[WhiteJC]

'Things I'm not allowed to say' - Alex Iwobi lifts lid on Everton exit and makes fans admission
Alex Iwobi left Everton to join Fulham in the summer transfer window.

Alex Iwobi admitted leaving Everton wasn't an easy decision.

The midfielder departed the Toffees on summer transfer deadline day to join Fulham for a fee that could reach £22 million. Iwobi was into the final year of his Goodison Park contract, having been a prominent player as Everton narrowly avoided Premier League relegation in the past two seasons.

Manager Sean Dyche revealed he wanted to keep Iwobi but the money on the table given the Blues' financial difficulties meant it made sense for the Nigeria international to be sold. Iwobi, speaking to The Athletic, could not speak on the matter but felt he departed on good terms after the fans warmed to him following a difficult opening when joining from Arsenal in 2019.

He said: "It wasn't an easy decision (to leave). "I enjoyed my time there. Especially the last couple of years. I felt like they warmed to me. At the same time, I felt I needed a new challenge, and Fulham are giving me the platform to express myself and do that."

"There was a lot of talks behind closed doors — there are things that I'm not allowed to say — but I feel like it was a decision from the club and from me that the best solution was to leave. I hope they do well, I have a lot of respect for them and left on good terms."



https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/football/everton/things-im-not-allowed-to-say-alex-iwobi-lifts-lid-on-everton-exit-and-makes-fans-admission-4356740

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea star drops huge team news hint ahead of Fulham clash amid Nicolas Jackson suspension
Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage as they face West London rivals Fulham in the Premier League this evening

Chelsea star Cole Palmer could be handed his first start under Mauricio Pochettino as they face Fulham in the Premier League. The Blues are set to be without a number of key players for the game with Nicolas Jackson suspended.

Pochettino hinted that he may choose to deploy a false-nine against the Cottagers which may see Raheem Sterling moved centrally. This opens up space for the likes of Palmer or Noni Madueke to come into the starting XI in Jackson's absence.

The Senegalese forward was suspended after picking up five yellow cards in his opening six Premier League appearances. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell will miss the Fulham clash after suffering a hamstring injury last week.

The England international could be sidelined until the end of October leaving Pochettino with a selection headache in attack and defence. Chelsea will hope they can pick up their first three points in the Premier League since a 3-0 win against Luton Town back in August.

Speaking ahead of the Fulham fixture, Pochettino hinted that he could hand Palmer his first start since he arrived from Manchester City for a fee in the region of £45million. "Yes, maybe yes," the Chelsea boss said when asked if the England Under-21 international could start against Fulham.

"I'm so happy with his performance after only a few weeks with us. He was able to perform very well and fit very well in the team. He is a talented player, young talented player but I think he is in my mind to start on Monday."

Now, Palmer has posted a matchday graphic ahead of kick-off which may suggest he is set to start for the Blues. Pochettino is likely to continue on with Sterling in attack, but it remains to be seen whether he plays as a centre-forward or on the left with Armando Broja coming in to replace Jackson as the striker.



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/chelsea-team-news-hint-fulham-27828227

[WhiteJC]

Mauricio Pochettino confirms Cole Palmer Chelsea role change just weeks after transfer
Cole Palmer is in contention to make his first Premier League start for Chelsea this evening away at Fulham after a really impressive performance against Brighton

Cole Palmer is in contention to make his full Premier League debut for Chelsea this evening as the Blues make the short trip to Craven Cottage. Chelsea are looking for their first win – and goal – since beating Luton Town 3-0 on August 25.

The 21-year-old winger, who signed from Manchester City on transfer deadline day last month, has made just one start for the Blues so far since moving to Stamford Bridge. That was against Brighton & Hove Albion last week in the Carabao Cup and Palmer was really impressive on the night – attracting plenty of attention from the supporters.

"Yes, maybe yes," Pochettino replied when asked if Palmer is in line for his full Premier League debut for Chelsea. "I'm so happy with his performance after only a few weeks with us. He was able to perform very well and fit very well in the team. He is a talented player, young talented player but I think he is in my mind to start on Monday."

So it appears Palmer is in line to add to the 180 minutes he has played for his new club thus far at Craven Cottage, but where he is on the pitch is still up for debate. football.london understands one of the many reasons Palmer was signed by Chelsea was because of his versatility and his ability to play on the right wing and more centrally in the No.10 spot behind the striker.

 Palmer was playing behind Nicolas Jackson against Brighton last week, with Ian Maatsen and Mykhailo Mudryk either side of him. There is a chance we see something very similar in the game against Fulham, but perhaps Raheem Sterling instead of Maatsen.

Pochettino also hinted that he might opt without a 'natural' centre-forward with Jackson serving his one-match suspension. "Yes, we have a few options to play with a striker and without a striker," the Argentine said. "We also need to assess the squad after the game. Things appear after 48 hours and I'm going to see how they are and how they recover from Wednesday, but different options."



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/mauricio-pochettino-chelsea-cole-palmer-27828353

[WhiteJC]

Spurs (A) Sold Out

Tickets for Fulham's trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Spurs on Monday 23rd October have now sold out. Thank you for your fantastic support!

Should the Club receive any ticket returns, please register your interest below to join our waiting list for this fixture:



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/october/02/spurs-a-sold-out/

[WhiteJC]

Manchester United (H) Sold Out

Tickets for our home fixture against Manchester United have now sold out. Thank you for your fantastic support!

PREMIUM MATCHDAY SEATING

The only way to guarantee your place at Craven Cottage for this Premier League fixture is now with Premium Matchday Seating.

Offering the best views of the pitch with seats located in the Upper Tier of the Riverside Stand, enjoy a host of additional benefits to enhance your matchday experience - including a dedicated area to spend pre-game and half-time, and vouchers for food and drink.

TICKET EXCHANGE NOW OPEN

Unable to attend Fulham v Manchester United? Season Ticket Holders can now list their seat for this fixture on the Fulham FC Ticket Exchange

Seats listed are made exclusively available to 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders & Members (Max. 1 ticket per person).

BUY TICKETS ON THE TICKET EXCHANGE

LIST SEATS ON THE TICKET EXCHANGE

Ticket Exchange is the Club's official online resale platform which provides Season Ticket Holders the ability to list their seat for sale for other supporters to purchase at a fixture they are unable to attend in a safe and secure environment. For more information on the Fulham FC Ticket exchange, please click here. Membership must have been purchased by 10am on Monday 25th September - new Members after this point would not be eligible.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/october/02/manchester-united-h-sold-out/