Matchweek 1 of the 2026-27 English Premier League culminates with a thrilling encounter as Chelsea visits Fulham on Monday, August 24. Both teams ended the previous season with 52 points; Chelsea finished 10th with a record of 14-10-14, while Fulham secured 11th place at 15-7-16. Last season, the teams split their two encounters, with each home side emerging victorious.

This match marks the managerial debuts of Xabi Alonso for Chelsea and Álvaro Arbeloa for Fulham, both of whom guided Real Madrid last year. The kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at Craven Cottage in London.

In the latest odds, Chelsea stands as a -105 favorite on the 90-minute money line, with Fulham at +265 and a draw priced at +285. The over/under for total goals is set at 2.5.

Expert Insight:

• Martin Green, a seasoned sports writer and handicapper, boasts an impressive 21-9 record on his last 30 World Cup picks and has been successful across various leagues, including a 7-1 run in Bundesliga picks.
• Green's analysis leans towards Over 2.5 total goals (-150), citing that three of the last four meetings surpassed this mark. Chelsea, despite their 10th-place finish last season, had a potent offense, outscoring all but four EPL teams.
• Fulham, starting their campaign at home, averaged 1.6 goals per match at Craven Cottage, significantly higher than their 0.9 average in away games. New signing Gonzalo Garcia, who netted six goals with Real Madrid, adds to their attacking threat.

Green has identified key factors and locked in two best bets for the match. For those interested in following his predictions, more details are available on SportsLine.