Chelsea will face Fulham in the West London Derby on Sunday at the Craven Cottage. Both the sides will be desperate to win this match for separate reasons. For the home team, it is a must win match to save their relegation in this season which is not looking very much likely. On the other hand, Chelsea are fighting hard to earn the top four spot in the Premier League this season. So, a win will certainly help them to maintain a good pace with their competitors.
Team News :
Fulham :
Fulham have appointed a new interim manager Scott Parker just ahead of this match. The owner of Fulham Football Club, Shahid Khan sacked their previous manager Claudio Ranieri. Fulham are on the verge of relegation. They have collected only 17 points from their 28 matches so far. It has been almost certain that the club will not be able to save relegation in this season unless some miracle happen with them.
According to Shahid Khan, Claudio Ranieri was appointed as the manager of Fulham Football Club to save the relegation of the side into the second division of England. The players were performing well under the management of Claudio Ranieri. The results were also coming good for them. However, the team were not able to replicate the same in the later stage of the season. Now, they are not in a good position in the League Table. That’s why the manager has been sacked. The new manager has been given the responsibility to find out the real character of the team.
Scott Parker will certainly make some changes in the starting lineup of Fulham FC at this moment. We have to wait and watch how he field the side against Chelsea.
Chelsea :
The Blues will be desperate to win this match to stay in the top four race in the Premier League. The Gunners drew the match against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on Saturday. However, the Blues will not be able to rise from the sixth position if they win this match. However, the Blues have played two matches less than two of their competitors till now in this season. So, the Blues will hold a slight advantage to see the other results and make their game plan accordingly.
Maurizio Sarri will certainly think about making some changes in the starting lineup of the Blues for this match. Kepa Arrizabalaga will be back under the bars for the Blues in this match. Willy Caballero will start the match against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday in the first leg of the round of 16 at Stamford Bridge. Willian and Pedro might be rested for this match and Callum Hudson-Odoi might get his chance in this match. Emerson Palmieri can also be a part of the starting lineup of Chelsea in this match.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Fulham :(4-4-1-1)
Goalkeeper : Rico
Defenders : Odoi, Nordtveit, Ream, Bryan
Midfielders : Cairney,Chambers, Seri, Sessegnon.
Attackers : Babel; Mitrovic.
Chelsea :(4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Kepa
Defenders : Emerson, Rudiger, Luiz, Azpilicueta.
Midfielders : Kante, Jorginho, Barkley.
Forwards : Hudson-Odoi, Higuain, Hazard.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Fulham 0-4 Chelsea.
