Chelsea vs Fulham
While the Christmas festivities continue for the rest of us, spare a thought for our football heroes who will be hard at work again on Boxing Day, and Premier League: Chelsea vs Fulham is about as good as it gets.
It’s second against ninth with two highly ambitious teams, the Blues chasing a first league title since 2017 and the Cottagers fancying another tilt at Europe.
But both sides were disappointed with their last outings before Christmas, each held to goalless draws in games they were expected to win. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea missed the chance to go top when they were kept out by Sean Dyche’s Everton, while Marco Silva’s Cottagers couldn’t break down bottom club Southampton.
So expect the Blues to come out on the attack and Fulham to break out when they get the chance…this game won’t be goalless!
Talking Points
Were the sticky Toffees just a blip?
Chelsea’s visit to Everton was a huge frustration for Maresca’s Blues who have been one of the surprise packages of the SBOTOP Premier League 2024. The West London club has been one of the dominant forces of the 21st century but, since the takeover by US businessman Todd Boehly, there has been an incredible turnover of players and a top four place would have been the target in August.
But the odds have shifted since then and Chelsea have emerged as genuine title contenders, alongside leaders Liverpool and London rivals Arsenal. Goodison Park is not an easy place to go and Sean Dyche is one of the best tacticians in the game. It was important that Chelsea got an early goal but, while the visitors dominated in testing conditions, in-form striker Nicolas Jackson came the closest when he headed against the upright. It was the first time Chelsea had drawn a blank since the opening weekend of the season and the draw ended a run of eight consecutive victories, but Maresca’s men remain unbeaten in 12 in all competitions.
The Chelsea boss will welcome back wing-back Marc Cucurella who was red carded against Brentford the previous weekend and he could come in for Axel Disasi; but Maresca is unlikely to make more changes against such a dangerous opponent.
Silva is squad rotating in the busy period
The Cottagers’ plans to ruin Simon Rusk’s debut as Southampton interim coach fell flat, despite the SBOTOP football odds pointing firmly towards a Fulham victory. The Saints lifted their game with a change at the helm imminent and Fulham struggled to reach the heights expected. Boss Silva was frustrated, saying: “I have to say that’s a missed opportunity for us to climb the table.” A win could have taken the Cottagers a further two places up to seventh and a single point behind the automatic European places. “In our last four results, they were going to have a bigger impact if today we took a step forward and won the game.”
Fulham have picked up draws against Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool while beating Brighton and Hove Albion 3-1 and this was a rare chance to dominate among a string of really tough fixtures. Silva made five changes from the team which drew with Liverpool last week, bringing in Tom Cairney and Calvin Bassey with 17 year old midfielder Josh King making his debut alongside in midfield, while Timothy Castagne came into the back four and Rodrigo Muniz started up front. King made an impressive debut but he may step down for the Boxing Day clash.
The man Chelsea will hope to keep quiet is wingback Antonee Robinson who has made six assists so far this season. If the Blues can cut off his supply to the Fulham strikers they could have a very successful afternoon.
History
With 24 wins to two the Blues have totally bossed this relationship, though there have been 11 draws in all competitions since 2001; and the Cottagers have failed to win in 18 visits to Stamford Bridge.
And with fives wins and a draw from the last six games, Chelsea’s recent form is stronger than their visitors who have won just once over that period, drawing four and losing one.
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