Chelsea welcome West London rivals, Fulham to Stamford Bridge in a mouth-watering Premier League derby in the capital.
Victory would see Chelsea move six points clear of fifth-placed West Ham who don’t play until Monday evening.
Fulham meanwhile could close their gap to safety down to four points if Brighton lose to Leeds in Saturday’s mid-afternoon game.
Team News
Mateo Kovacic could return for Chelsea after missing the Blues’ last five matches in all competitions with a hamstring injury.
Thomas Tuchel has no fresh injury concerns to report with a full squad available for selection, although Antonio Rudiger is likely to rested after suffering a knock in their midweek draw at Real Madrid.
Fulham could recall Kenny Tete who tested positive for Coronavirus during the Cottagers’ two-week break between fixtures, having not played last weekend due to Tottenham’s appearance in the 2020-21 Carabao Cup Final.
Terence Kongolo, Tom Cairney (both knee) and Marek Rodak (finger) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 19 league meetings against Fulham (W12, D7).
- Fulham have failed to win any of their 13 previous Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge (D5, L8).
- Chelsea have won just one of their last four home games (W1, D2, L1).
- Four of Bobby Reid’s five league goals for Fulham this season have come on his right foot, with the other goal coming from a header.
- Chelsea were victorious in their only previous home game refereed by Kevin Friend this season, defeating Leeds United 3-1 in December.
Prediction
Thomas Tuchel should be delighted with how Chelsea have handled the last week because they delivered a clinically sharp display away at West Ham, before digging deep to a scrappy 1-1 draw at Real Madrid on Tuesday despite being more clinical upon goal.
Fulham meanwhile have had two weeks off and come kick-off, they could be needing a win to keep their survival hopes properly alive so I expect them to come out and give it everything like they did at Arsenal last time out.
Stamford Bridge however has been Fulham’s hoodoo in the Premier League era so unless Tuchel rests key players here, I just can’t see them winning this even though they should have enough to make a fight of this game.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Result: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham