Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will look to return to winning ways when they host Fulham on Boxing Day after dropping points last time out.
While Maresca continues to insist that Chelsea are not a part of the title race, they are the ones closest to Liverpool at this stage and a win against Fulham will ensure they stay within touching distance.
The Blues are second on the points table with 35 points out of their 17 outings. They are four points behind the league leaders who also have a game in hand. Their five-match winning streak in the Premier League came to an end last time out as they played out a 0-0 draw against Everton.
Chelsea were not clinical in the final third and it cost them two important points. They will be eager to return to winning ways and given the kind of form they have been in, the Cottagers will find it difficult to stop them.
Fulham are 9th on the table with 25 points in 17 outings. While they have been unbeaten in their last five league games, four of those fixtures have ended in a stalemate.
They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 0-0 draw against Southampton and will have to punch above their weight to get something out of this one.
The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
The Blues will remain without the services of Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca’s team do have a boost as Marc Cucurella is back from suspension. While Romeo Lavia is closing in on a return this fixture against Fulham has come a touch too early for him.
Chelsea will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation where Robert Sanchez will take charge in between the sticks. Malo Gusto and Cucurella will be the full-backs while Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill will feature in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Enzo Fernandez will partner with Moises Caicedo. The duo will look to protect the backline and control the tempo of the game.
Cole Palmer will continue in the number 10 role with Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke on the flanks. Nicolas Jackson will continue to lead the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson
Fulham
The Cottagers will remain without the services of Sasa Lukic, Sander Berge, Kenny Tete and Reiss Nelson. Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe’s availability is also a doubt after he missed their last outing because of a leg injury.
They do have a boost as Andreas Pereira is back available after serving a suspension last time out.
The visitors will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Bernd Leno will be in goal. Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will be the full-backs while Joachim Andersen will partner Calvin Bassey in the heart of the defence.
Pereira, Tom Cairney and Alex Iwobi will form the midfield three. They will look to ensure that Chelsea midfielders do not end up dictating the pace of the game and Palmer doesn’t have too much free space to do damage.
Adama Traore and Harry Wilson will feature on the flanks while Raul Jimenez will be the one leading the line for Fulham.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Cairney, Pereira, Iwobi; Wilson, Jimenez, Adama
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won 52 out of the 91 matches against Fulham.
- The Blues are unbeaten in their last 19 home games against the Cottagers in the league.
- Marco Silva’s team have only won two out of their last 34 English top-flight games against Chelsea.
- Enzo Maresca’s team have lost two out of their last three Boxing Day games in the Premier League.
- The Blues have only won two out of their last 11 London derbies on Boxing Day.
Player to Watch
Cole Palmer
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Palmer is the one running the show at Chelsea. He has been their X-factor player since joining them in the summer of 2023. He has 11 goals and six assists in his 17 league outings and it won’t be much of a surprise if he adds to his tally against the Cottagers and ends up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Fulham
The Blues did drop points in their last outing but in general, they have been a force to reckon with in the 2024/25 season. The Cottager will surely try to put up a fight but they might not be able to stand in their way. The individual quality that Chelsea have could do the trick for them.
The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the London club.
