Chelsea meet Fulham at Stamford Bridge in a festive West London derby.
Victory will move Chelsea to within one point of league leaders, Liverpool, whilst Fulham can go as high as seventh with a win.
Team News
Marc Cucurella is available for Chelsea after he was suspended for their goalless draw at Everton.
Romeo Lavia (thigh) is a doubt for selection.
Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Omari Kellyman (all hamstring) are still ruled out.
Fulham will welcome Andreas Pereira back from suspension, which saw him sit out their goalless draw against Southampton.
Emile Smith Rowe (leg) could return but Sander Berge (ankle) is a doubt.
Kenny Tete (shin), Reiss Nelson (hamstring) and Harrison Reed (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea face Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 26 December at 3pm GMT, live on Amazon in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have lost one of their last 24 league meetings against Fulham (W15, D8, L1).
- Fulham have failed to win any of their last 19 league visits to Chelsea since a 2-0 win in October 1979 (D7, L12)
- Chelsea have kept clean sheets in their last six home games against Fulham.
- Enzo Maresca’s Blues are yet to keep a clean sheet at home in London derbies this season (W1, D2).
- Fulham have drawn four of their last five matches (W1, D4).
Prediction
Having been heavily frustrated by a resilient Everton defence plus Jordan Pickford, Chelsea certainly will be fired up for this London derby because they can’t afford to let Liverpool get out of sight in this festive period anymore.
Fulham though have their own frustrations after they too stuttered to a goalless draw against Southampton, but will have confidence from holding Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool in recent weeks.
On that note I feel that this could be a tight game initially but Chelsea’s firepower should see them through if show patience and don’t get frustrated.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
Result: Chelsea 1-2 Fulham
Leave a Reply