Chelsea vs Fulham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Title challenging Chelsea were held last weekend and need to get back on the winning track with a west London derby up next as Fulham make the short trip to Stamford Bridge.
Kick-off date/time: Thursday 26th December, 2024: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Peacock
Chelsea Preview: Maresca’s Blues
Enzo Maresca has been magnificent in charge of Chelsea thus far with the Blues still involved in the Premier League title race but, ahead of Boxing Day, they sit four points back from league leaders Liverpool with the Reds having a game in hand on Chelsea, too.
That is because the Blues were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Everton at Goodison Park last weekend in a feisty contest on Merseyside. That draw ended what was a seven-match winning streak across all competitions for the west Londoners.
Fulham Preview: Frustrated Fulham
Marco Silva and Fulham have a real chance of UEFA competition qualification but, for the second successive season, went into Christmas on the back of a disappointing result at home to a relegation-bound outfit as their top six push gets put on hold for a few days.
It was a 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Craven Cottage that dampened the festive spirit last season with a goalless draw at home to rock-bottom Southampton leaving Silva and his Cottagers frustrated ahead of the west London derby against Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Chelsea Team News: Still no James or Fofana
Enzo Maresca will once again have to be without club captain Reece James as well as France international Wesley Fofana due to injury. However, former Brighton and Hove Albion defender Marc Cucurella has returned from a one-match suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Unavailable: Fofana (Injured), Badiashile (Injured), James (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Kellyman (Injured)
Questionable:
Fulham Team News: Pereira returns
It has been confirmed that Kenny Tete will be out until at least mid-February, albeit he doesn’t require surgery on a knee injury. They are also without key loanee Reiss Nelson with Emile Smith Rowe and Sander Berge doubtful, whilst Andreas Pereira returns from suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Pereira, Cairney; Wilson, King, Iwobi; Muniz
Unavailable: Tete (Injured), Reed (Injured), Nelson (Injured)
Questionable: Lukic (Injured), Berge (Injured), Smith Rowe (Injured)
Chelsea vs Fulham Prediction
Chelsea have been very entertaining to watch with an abundance of attacking options even without Mykhaylo Mudryk due to him testing positive for doping. They have scored 37 goals in their 17 matches so far this season. Fulham will have to adapt to become a bit more counter attacking with the likelihood of both Emile Smith Rowe and Sander Berge being absent. That said, they, too, can often score goals at will, albeit they didn’t last week. Chelsea are favourites for what could be quite a fun watch for the neutral.
Chelsea vs Fulham Tip: Chelsea to win & both teams to score
