Chelsea will face Fulham in the West London Derby on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. After a 4-0 win over Paok FK on Thursday in the Europa League, the Blues will be confident to take on Fulham despite a heavy defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the previous match-day. The match is really important for the Blues and a big win will kick start their busy schedule in December. On the other hand, the new manager of Fulham FC, Claudio Ranieri will not wish to lose against his former side on Sunday. The match is already catching the eyes of the viewers with an excitement of homecoming of Claudio Ranieri at Stamford Bridge.
Team News :
The Blues will welcome their star player Eden Hazard on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian winger will also wish to play against Fulham as he will not get a better chance to regain his form against the poor defensive unit of their rivals. Maurizio Sarri has to sort many problems before the match against Fulham FC on Sunday. David Luiz was looking awful against Tottenham Hotspur at the Wembley Stadium in the previous week. In all three goals scored by Tottenham Hotspur, there were mistakes of David Luiz. David Luiz plays a really important role in Maurizio Sarri’s system at Chelsea. In Maurizio Sarri’s system, the attack should start from the back and David Luiz’s passing accuracy is better than most of the defenders in the squad of the Blues. Kepa Arrizabalaga has to improve a bit to be one of the best Goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Cesar Azpilicueta has lost his pace; his passing accuracy has also not been at it’s best. So the time might have come for Maurizio Sarri to give chance to Davide Zappacosta in some Premier League matches. Though the manager has revealed that he would not make any change in the team due to the poor performance of the Blues against Tottenham Hotspur. According to the manager, the whole team played bad in that match. So there’s no point of criticizing any one player for that match.
Eden Hazard was not in the squad of Chelsea against Paok FK after suffering an ankle injury in the previous Saturday against Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgian winger should be back in contention to start against Fulham FC on this Sunday. Though, Maurizio Sarri has to be cautious about the fitness of his players in these congested fixture of Chelsea in December. Willian will also keep his place in the Chelsea side against Fulham. On the other hand, Alvaro Morata should also start the match as Olivier Giroud picked up an injury in the second half of the match against Paok FK. It will be a homecoming for the former Chelsea player Andre Schurrle too at Stamford Bridge in Fulham colours.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Chelsea :(4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Kepa
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso.
Midfielders : Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic
Attackers : Willian, Morata, Hazard.
Fulham :(4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper : Rico
Defenders : Christie, Odoi, Mawson, Bryan.
Midfielders : Chambers, Seri; Schurrle, Cairney, Sessegnon.
Attackers : Mitrovic.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Chelsea 4-0 Fulham
