Preview: Fulham vs. Chelsea - Team news and prediction

Chelsea has had a challenging start to the season and finally secured a win, along with scoring a goal in September, defeating Brighton 1-0 in the EFL Cup. Fulham has had a decent start to the season with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. If they secure 3 points in today's match, they will reach 11 points, which would be a good start to the season. Chelsea currently has 5 points in the Premier League, so they need to start winning some matches; otherwise, their worst nightmare of being involved in a relegation battle could become a reality. Chelsea is facing significant offensive issues, with their newly acquired attacking players failing to perform. They have scored only 5 goals in the 6 Premier League matches played, which is not good enough for a team aiming to compete for European positions.

Last five meetings between Fulham vs. Chelsea: 
0-0: Chelsea vs. Fulham
2-1: Fulham vs. Chelsea
2-0: Chelsea vs. Fulham
0-1: Fulham vs. Chelsea
1-2: Fulham vs. Chelsea 

Team news: 
Calvin Bassey, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Adama Traore are doubtful for the match and were not mentioned in the press conference leading up to the game, so it is uncertain whether they will be in the squad tonight. Kenny Tete is also doubtful, but he has undergone testing, and it is expected that he will start and be ready for the match. Several players were rested against Norwich, including Bernd Leno, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Harrison Reed, and Pereira, and they are all expected to return to Fulham's starting lineup.

Chelsea is heavily affected for the match; Nicolas Jackson and Malo Gusto are suspended, and they have several players out due to injuries. Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Marcus Bettinelli, and Trevoh Chalobah are not in the squad, while there is doubt about Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke. Fortunately for Pochettino, he has a large squad, so it should be possible to field a strong team, but there is external pressure, making it clear that it's not an ideal situation with so many absent players.

Fulham expected lineup:
Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Iwobi; Jimenez

Chelsea expected lineup: 
Sanchez; Cucurella, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk

Prediction: 
Considering Chelsea's absences for this match and their offensive issues, it's challenging to see them securing three points. Fulham has shown reasonable stability, and looking at previous results between the two teams, the matches have often been closely contested. Tonight's game is likely to be equally competitive, and a good prediction for the outcome could be a draw (3.40).

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