Chelsea, having returned from Turkey after securing an away goal in a 1-1 draw with Galatasaray, now travel few minutes away to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. While Chelsea sit atop the Premier League table, their next-door neighbours are in a terrible form, struggling at the bottom of the table.
Fulham, who are the favorites for the wooden spoon, have failed to win their last seven league outings. René Meulsteen was sacked recently after he failed to pull the Cottagers up from the relegation zone. Felix Magath, the new manager, who led histeam to a draw at West Brom last weekend, will be in charge at his first home game this Saturday.
So let us take a look at all the information we need beforehand.
DATE & TIME: March 1, 2014 at 10:00 EST; March 1, 2014 at 15:00 GMT; March 1, 2014 at 16:00 WAT; March 1, 2014 at 17:00 CAT; March 1, 2014 at 18:00 EAT; March 1, 2014 at 20:30 IST.
VENUE: Craven Cottage, London, England.
TV/STREAMING NEWS: The match will be telecast live on Fox Sports 1 in Australia, Supersport Select 2 in African continent, Sportsnet East/West/Ontario/Pacific in Canada, ESPN +Sur/+Andina in Colombia, Star Sports 4 in India, Fox Sports HD in Italy, J Sports 4 in Japan, Astro Supersport in Malaysia, Fox Sports 2 in Netherlands, Canal+ Fútbol HDv& Gol Stadium in Spain and NBCSN in USA.
Chelsea TV will have live audio of the game.
The match is available on NBC Sports Live Extra in USA.
You can also catch the game on TalkSport Radio if you’re in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, UK or USA.
FULHAM FC SQUAD NEWS: Only Matthew Briggs is doubtful for the Cottagers as of now.
Predicted Starting XI: Stekelenburg, Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Riise, Sidwell, Parker, Dejagah, Holtby, Richardson, Mitroglou
CHELSEA FC SQUAD NEWS: Jose Mourinho has almost the entire squad available with the exception of Marco van Ginkel who is set to return next season only. David Luiz is doubtful and may face a late fitness test.
Predicted Starting XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Ramires, Salah, Oscar, Willian, Eto’o.
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg.
FORM INDEX: Fulham – LLLDLD; Chelsea – WDWWDW.
FUN TRIVIA:
- Chelsea have won 8 of their last 10 matches in Premier League.
- Chelsea have lost just one game in their last fifteen in all competitions.
- Chelsea are undefeated in their last 16 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Fulham have lost their last 3 home matches in Premier League, conceding a minimum of 3 goals.
- Fulham have conceded 59 goals, the most in this season’s Premier League.
Chelsea have the arsenal to comfortably beat Fulham. However, off late, Chelsea have found it difficult to close games owing to tired legs. The Blues also need to avoid complacency and a decent performance should ensure three points.
We have to be extra carefull when facing this resurgence Fulham with new coach Felix Magath.Their palyer will try to impress their new manager and could cause Chelsea some big problem if we dont counter them with fast attacking play and also we have to score as soon as possible.We can’t wait until the last minute like the game vs Everton.More important we have to give Hazard and Willian days of, because they show some fatique and tired during the Galasataray match. Give other player the chance to shine Mou.My line up advise as below:
Cech
Azpicueleta-Cahill-Terry-Cole
David Luiz-Matic
M.Salah-Oscar-Schurle
Demba Ba
**Second half or on the last 15 minute Mou can fill the sub with some other player like Torres,Mikel and also can give some of our youngster like Lewis Baker and Kalas a chance to play.
**If Chelsea play with discipline midfield and fast attacking style i couldnt see why we cant hammer Fulham with 2-0 win.Chelsea for life.KTBFFH.
Its tm we regret the decision of selling mata, he would hv helped us now coz he could be fresh
Salah demba ba matic Cole and sala must strt !
Every match is difficult to score goals even against weaker teams, the same old story.
I think Mourinho is so over-reliant on Hazard we need to make use of the entire team including Salah and schurrle.
Hazard and William were really exhausted in the Gala game. These guys obviously need some break Mourinho.
I don’t think mou will drop hazard because he so stubborn. If Hazard and William play, we will lose
It’s not just Willian and Hazard. Cech, Azpilicueta, and Ramires also feel exhausted. I see it yesterday. My XI prediction:
*Schwarzer
Used to play for Fulham, at least for 3 or 4 years. He really know about the club. And we can use him to against our ‘neighbour’.
*Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, A. Cole.
Terry-Cahill were gaving very impressive performance so far. They strong in the air, tough in tackle, and both can score a goal too! Ivanovic also had a great form. He can cover the speedster like Holtby/Richardson, as well as his capabilities to run forward and score a goal. And Cole, I think he needs more minutes, maybe more games to played.
*Matic-Mikel
Matic will be back on lineup. After his ‘returning’ from Portugal, he played very very well. He’s a great pivot. We need him very much to strengthen our midfield. Mikel will complete the lineup, besides Matic.
*Schürrle, Oscar, Salah
Two speedster. Why not? Fulham’s defender were too old to against them. Andre have a great positioning, pass, and also he is a ‘long ranger’ too. Salah can dribble faster, he just need to focus with his final touch. Oscar is needed to supply the ball forward.
*Demba Ba
I expecting the best for this guy. He had an awful season now. We always support him, right? He scored against Soton, so I’m sure he can do it too on this match!
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It’s just my opinion. And please correct if I wrong. KTBFFH! 🙂
I am very disappointed with the way things unfolded in Turkey. Was expecting something more aggressive. Nevertheless, everything is not over. I just hope we will do one better at the bridge.
Now about the Fulham game. I think we will have a comfortable victory in the derby and that will cement our position at the top for a while longer. KTBFFH.
The strongest squad should start! It wl be very difficult game. Playing a team with new Manager, derby & playing not to relegate is very difficult more than Everton last wk much. Hazard-OSC-Schurr and DM Rami-Matic and striker Eto/Ba … Should score in 1st half and control game…
Shureil in,William out
@ anonymous ther is nothing 2 regret about mata.the only thing 2 regret is that we have the best manager who is very stuborn,bias & enjoys humiliatn the players he didnt like.jose can lead this team 2 epl title come may if he can be fair & more sincere 2 al our players.am sorry if am soundn too harsh on jose,but i realy want him 2 be the best he can be.cfc2 fulham0.