The stress is as soon as once more on Mauricio Pochettino and this Chelsea crew to get a win on Saturday with this as soon as once more turning into one other big sport for the membership in the event that they need 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 the direction of both path (prime or backside) after a couple of 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 way nearer than the underside proper now, however the hole isn’t but snug sufficient for my liking!
Present type
As stated, Fulham are thirteenth within the league and can be taking a look at this sport 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. 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 assume 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, now we have gained 3 and misplaced 2. Earlier than Boro, we gained 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 yr is their solely such victory since Luis Boa Morte scored the winner in April 2006.
Chelsea wins: 51
Fulham wins: 12
Attracts: 27
Workforce Information
Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, Benoit Badiashile, and Carney Chukwuemeka all as soon as once more have an opportunity of creating the squad a minimum of. Nkunku can be checked in on this week, and I’ve heard Chilwell is definitely probably 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 sport.
Chelsea are nonetheless with out Nicolas Jackson as a result of his involvement on the Africa Cup of Nations, a match which additionally contains 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. Nevertheless, 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 information 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 sport. Extra on that under.
My predicted Xl:
I believe he would possibly drop Levi Colwill after a poor sport within the final match, possibly to take him our of the firing line if something?
Then Malo Gusto and Alfie Gilchrist begin as the complete backs, with possibly Chilwell approaching later to switch one among them.
The remainder of the lineup I believe can be fairly apparent, sadly. Enzo Fernandez is likely to be dropped in favour of an additional attacker corresponding to Mykhailo Mudryk – I also can see that taking place.
Armando Broja comes again in as a presence up prime, regardless that I’m not judging Cole Palmer as false 9 on that one sport – I nonetheless imagine he is an efficient choice there.
Raheem Sterling must 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 sport. I watched Fulham in opposition to Liverpool on Wednesday evening and they are going to be an actual menace, particularly in assault. They’ve scored a number of objectives this season, and Silva could have them going at us. They’ve bought some superb gamers too.
My rating prediction:
Chelsea 1 Fulham 2I hate not backing my crew to win, however I’ve to be as true as I might be with these rating predictions. I used to be enthusiastic about 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 onerous to see Chelsea successful this one after witnessing our first 45 in opposition to Preston, and our complete 90 minutes in opposition to Boro. Additionally nonetheless having nightmares concerning the Wolves efficiency!
Conclusion
Chelsea NEED to win this one, for sure. And naturally, as I say each sport, we CAN win any sport we play. However I simply lack any type of optimism with this crew and supervisor (no I don’t need him sacked I would like him to enhance) proper now, I’m afraid.
