Chelsea are ranked second-bottom for fixture difficulty over the next five Gameweeks, at least according to our Season Ticker.
But do tougher fixtures really make that much difference to Cole Palmer (£10.7m)?
That’s the focus of this Premium Members article.
CHELSEA’S NEXT FIVE FIXTURES
| Gameweek | Opponent | xGC rank (2024/25) | xGC rank (2023/24) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Nottm Forest (h) | 3rd | 5th |
| 8 | Liverpool (a) | 1st | 3rd |
| 9 | Newcastle (h) | 11th | 12th |
| 10 | Man Utd (a) | 16th | 16th |
| 11 | Arsenal (h) | 7th | 1st |
We’re only six Gameweeks into the 2024/25 season, so there’s the usual caveat about small sample sizes.
That said, familiar patterns are already starting to emerge when it comes to underlying defensive data.
Three of Chelsea’s next five opponents – Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Arsenal – are top-half material for expected goals conceded (xGC).
A trip to Manchester United won’t hold any fear for Enzo Maresca’s troops, however, with 3-0 thrashings at the hands of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in recent times.
HOW PALMER FARED AGAINST CHELSEA’S UPCOMING OPPONENTS LAST SEASON
