The stress is as soon as once more on Mauricio Pochettino and this Chelsea workforce to get a win on Saturday with this as soon as once more changing into one other large recreation for the membership in the event that they wish to get European qualification on the highest degree.
The Blues welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge for the 12.30pm kick off reside on TNT Sports activities within the UK.
Chelsea are ready within the league proper now the place they might simply head in direction of both route (high or backside) after just a few of outcomes.
We’re simply three factors off seventh place proper now, but additionally simply 4 factors forward of our opponents Fulham, who’re down in thirteenth place. The highest is far nearer than the underside proper now, however the hole just isn’t but snug sufficient for my liking!
Present type
As mentioned, Fulham are thirteenth within the league and will probably be taking a look at this recreation as an opportunity to get only one level behind their shut neighbours Chelsea.
They went 1-0 up in opposition to Liverpool within the League Cup this week however ended up being turned over to lose 2-1.
Earlier than that, Marco Silva’s facet have had a loopy run of fixtures and an entire blended bag of outcomes. Just lately they’ve crushed Arsenal 2-1, crushed West Ham and Nottingham Forest 5-0 in two video games in a row, however they’ve additionally misplaced 3-0 to Newcastle and Bournemouth, and misplaced 2-0 to Burnley.
I suppose similar to Chelsea proper now, all of it will depend on what Fulham will flip up!
Chelsea’s type had been getting higher as soon as once more earlier than the Middlesbrough defeat, but it surely’s been a case of a pair steps ahead and a pair steps again as soon as once more, because it has been all season.
In our final 5 video games, we have now received 3 and misplaced 2. Earlier than Boro, we received 3 in a row and it felt like some momentum was coming again. Sigh.
Face to face
The Cottagers’ win over Chelsea in January of final 12 months is their solely such victory since Luis Boa Morte scored the winner in April 2006.
Chelsea wins: 51
Fulham wins: 12
Attracts: 27
Group Information
Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, Benoit Badiashile, and Carney Chukwuemeka all as soon as once more have an opportunity of creating the squad no less than. Nkunku will probably be checked in on this week, and I’ve heard Chilwell is definitely essentially the most forward when it comes to a spot within the squad out of the opposite two talked about. However all have an opportunity.
No different injured Chelsea gamers are anticipated again for this recreation.
Chelsea are nonetheless with out Nicolas Jackson resulting from his involvement on the Africa Cup of Nations, a event which additionally includes a trio of Fulham gamers in Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Fode Ballo-Toure.
Lineup Prediction
Frustratingly, Pochettino appears to have these similar gamers who he actually trusts and closely depends on. Nonetheless, I believe he would possibly make a little bit of a change on the again on Saturday. Once more, this isn’t primarily based on data or something, only a feeling.
I believe he would possibly drop Levi Colwill, after which if Chilwell makes the bench, a view for utilizing him later within the recreation. Extra on that beneath.
My predicted Xl:
I believe he would possibly drop Levi Colwill after a poor recreation within the final match, possibly to take him our of the firing line if something?
Then Malo Gusto and Alfie Gilchrist begin as the total backs, with possibly Chilwell approaching later to switch one in all them.
The remainder of the lineup I believe will probably be fairly apparent, sadly. Enzo Fernandez is likely to be dropped in favour of an additional attacker resembling Mykhailo Mudryk – I can even see that taking place.
Armando Broja comes again in as a presence up high, although I’m not judging Cole Palmer as false 9 on that one recreation – I nonetheless consider he is an efficient possibility there.
Raheem Sterling needs to be firmly on the bench, however once more, I’ve a sense he’ll stick with him. There’s an opportunity Mudryk is available in for him, however lets see.
Rating prediction
Chelsea have a 58% win chance.
Match odds:
Chelsea: 6/10
Fulham: 4/1
Draw: 17/5
Forgive me for as soon as once more having no religion or any type of confidence for this recreation. I watched Fulham in opposition to Liverpool on Wednesday night time and they are going to be an actual risk, particularly in assault. They’ve scored a number of objectives this season, and Silva could have them going at us. They’ve obtained some excellent gamers too.
My rating prediction:
Chelsea 1 Fulham 2
I hate not backing my workforce to win, however I’ve to be as true as I may be with these rating predictions. I used to be fascinated with possibly a 2-2 or a 3-3 draw, however I simply don’t actually see the place our objectives are coming from and in all honesty, it’s laborious to see Chelsea profitable this one after witnessing our first 45 in opposition to Preston, and our total 90 minutes in opposition to Boro. Additionally nonetheless having nightmares concerning the Wolves efficiency!
Conclusion
Chelsea NEED to win this one, unquestionably. And naturally, as I say each recreation, we CAN win any recreation we play. However I simply lack any type of optimism with this workforce and supervisor (no I don’t need him sacked I need him to enhance) proper now, I’m afraid.
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