Match preview for Fulham v Chelsea
Chelsea face a huge west London derby on Sunday as they aim to end a disappointing week on a high and boost their hopes of Champions League qualification with a win at neighbours Fulham.
Though the Blues progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, a competition they are widely expected to win, a 2-1 loss at home to Legia Warsaw in the second leg led to Enzo Maresca’s team being booed off by the Stamford Bridge crowd.
More concerning for Chelsea is their position in the hotly contested race for Champions League football.
Chelsea are sixth and are only a point behind fifth-placed Manchester City, with the top five in the Premier League qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
However, Maresca’s men have let points slip in each of their last two league games, following up a 0-0 draw at Brentford with a 2-2 draw at home with third-bottom Ipswich Town, with Chelsea forced to come from 2-0 down to claim a share of the spoils.
Their performances in those games are extremely worrying given Chelsea now face a difficult run-in across the final six games, which starts with a testing trip to Craven Cottage.
Fulham are in a European hunt of their own as they seek a highest Premier League finish in their history.
Marco Silva’s men are only six points behind Chelsea and can still afford to harbour at least slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League themselves.
Consistency has been an issue for Fulham, having followed up a stunning win over champions-elect Liverpool with defeat at Bournemouth.
But, with home victories over Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham along with the defeat of Liverpool and 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Craven Cottage on their record this season, Fulham will have no fear about hosting Chelsea in arguably the most significant west London derby of the Premier League era.
Team news for Fulham v Chelsea
Fulham could welcome back winger Harry Wilson from a foot injury that has kept him out since January.
Chelsea can call on Romeo Lavia following his recovery from a muscle injury, while the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill could return after being rested against Legia.
Expected line-ups for Fulham v Chelsea
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Anderson, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Sessegnon, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; JacksonÂ
The stats
- Fulham are aiming to do a league double over Chelsea for the first time.
- Chelsea have won five of their last six away games against Fulham.
- The Blues have won only five of their 16 Premier League matches since December 22.
How to watch Fulham v Chelsea
The game will not be broadcast on UK TV.
Prediction
Chelsea will probably end the season with a trophy, but their Champions League hopes are looking increasingly fragile, and they are ripe for a European hangover against a dangerous Fulham team.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
