Chelsea and Fulham are set to clash in a highly anticipated West London derby at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day in the Premier League. This showdown promises excitement as Chelsea looks to bounce back from a draw, while Fulham aims to improve their recent form.
The home side recently saw their impressive winning streak halted by a resilient Everton in a goalless draw on Sunday. Meanwhile, Fulham was also held to a 0-0 stalemate by relegation contenders Southampton, leaving both teams with points to prove.
Chelsea’s Strong Season So Far
After winning five consecutive Premier League matches, the longest streak by any team this season, Chelsea’s momentum was unexpectedly disrupted by Everton. This marked the first time Enzo Maresca’s squad failed to score in a league game since the opening day of the season. Despite falling four points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, Chelsea remains unbeaten in 12 matches, setting up a favorable run of fixtures.
Chelsea’s upcoming games include matchups against Fulham, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Wolves—an opportunity to close the gap with Liverpool. However, any missteps could be costly in this tightly contested league season.
While Chelsea’s current tally of 35 points reflects consistency, it’s the lowest for a second-placed team at Christmas since 2010, showcasing the competitive nature of this year’s Premier League.
Fulham’s Struggles in Recent Games
Fulham enters this derby after a string of underwhelming performances, with just one win in their last six matches. Despite coming close to scoring through Harry Wilson and Adama Traoré against Southampton, Marco Silva’s side remains just two points off the European qualification spots.
Draws have become a recurring issue for Fulham, making Chelsea a challenging opponent to overcome. In 34 Premier League encounters, Fulham has managed only two victories over Chelsea—a mere 6% win rate, the lowest of any club against another in the league’s history.
Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea has an impeccable record against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, remaining unbeaten in 19 matches at home since 1979. On Boxing Day, Chelsea has also won two crucial matches against London rivals during title-winning seasons in 2005-06 and 2014-15.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Chelsea:
– Enzo Maresca will look to rotate his squad after their grueling draw against Everton.
– Expected Starting Lineup: Sanchez; James, Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Gallagher, Palmer; Sterling, Jackson, Mudryk.
Fulham:
– Marco Silva’s side needs to address their struggles in front of goal.
– Expected Starting Lineup: Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Wilson, Pereira, Traoré; Jiménez.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
Given Chelsea’s dominance at Stamford Bridge and Fulham’s ongoing scoring troubles, a straightforward home win seems likely. Fulham’s record against Chelsea leaves little room for optimism, especially in such a competitive season.
