Date: Saturday 12th January
2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
Watching Chelsea these days is like a murder mystery but only in the
sense that it’s a bloody mystery how we can have spent £1bn and be as woeful as
we are, and it’s a killer to watch.
We might have found our level against Preston because a cold Tuesday night
in Middlesbrough appeared to be a step too far for us.
Today’s lunch time game sees us back in the Premier League, to face
Fulham after their less embarrassing first-leg defeat to Liverpool. They’ve
lost their last four away from home and they haven’t won at Stamford Bridge for
45 years but since we’re the gift that keeps on giving now, they’ll definitely
come expecting to change that particular record today.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into
today’s game, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, says “Every single game should be a priority for
us. We need to play every game like a final. It is difficult to be consistent
and play the same every game, but we need to try. Of course, some situations we
didn’t expect that happened that made the situation more difficult. We are
going to do everything to perform, create a solid team performance. In the
time, we are going to be very successful, no doubt.
It’s a different
game [than October’s win]. They [Fulham] arrive in a good moment. They are
performing well. They have very good players. We didn’t perform bad against
Middlesbrough. We had a good few victories. We need to keep the belief.
The preparations are going well. We are confident. I am so sure we are going to
do a very good job.”
Fulham
manager, Marco Silva, meanwhile, says “What I
can see from the outside is that the changes are there, and they have a manager
who knows the Premier League really well. I think what he’s done already in his
career speaks for itself. I have huge respect for him as well. We have a very
good relationship and a good connection. They’re a very good side with a very
good manager as well and I’m sure it will be a very tough game for us.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Wesley Fofana (knee), Trevoh
Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Robert Sanchez (knee), Marc Cucurella
(ankle), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Reece James
(thigh) all remain out. Christopher Nkunku (hip) is back out again, whilst Nicolas
Jackson is away for African Cup of Nations. Ben Chilwell and Benoit Badiashile
are both fit again and may be involved; however, Carney Chukwuemeka is not
expected to be ready to return.
For Fulham, Adama Traore (hamstring)
remains out injured, whilst Fode Ballo-Toure, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are
all away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Harrison Reed (illness) should be fit.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Petrovic; Gusto,
Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja
FULHAM
(Possible line-up): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha,
Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham (3rd
February 2023)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: LLWLWW
FULHAM: WWLLLW
OTHER STUFF
- Fulham have won
just one of the past 23 Premier League meetings.
- Fulham haven’t won
at Stamford Bridge in 18 attempts in the league.
- Chelsea have only
conceded one goal in their past eight competitive games against Fulham at home.
- Chelsea are aiming
to win four home league matches in a row for the first time since July 2020.
- Chelsea are without
a win in their opening league fixture in each of the last seven years.
- Fulham are aiming
to avoid a fifth consecutive away league defeat.
- Fulham have lost
their last four Premier League away games, conceding at least three goals in
each.
- Fulham have won
just one of their 10 away matches in this season’s Premier League.
- Fulham are looking
to win three consecutive top-flight London derbies for the first time since
2013.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 2-1 Fulham
