Premier League fixture: Fulham versus Chelsea – Preview
Fulham
12th in the English Premier League table at the moment with just 30 points from a total of 26 matches, the Cottagers have been unimpressive in the 2010-2011 Premier League season.
Under Mark Hughes’s leadership, the London club have turned into experts when it comes to drawing matches. With the former Manchester United striker in-charge, Fulham have won six, drawn twelve, and, lost eight out of 26 matches that they have played thus
far.
Fulham have found it hard to function away from home but luckily their tie against Chelsea will take place at Craven Cottage, thus the Cottagers have a decent chance of gaining a favourable result.
Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Fulham have won three, drawn one and lost one. Their biggest result of the season came against Manchester United at Craven Cottage, as the Red Devils were held for a draw due to a last minute equalizer thanks
to Brede Hangeland.
In their last Premier League encounter, Fulham drew two all against Aston Villa.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786
Inconsistent form has been Chelsea’s greatest enemy in the 2010-2011 Premier League season.
The Blues signed David Luiz and Fernando Torres in the January transfer window. But both of their newcomers could not help them in their last Premier League encounter as Chelsea succumbed to a one goal defeat to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809.
However, Carlo Ancelotti has another problem at his hands now as he is yet to come up with a definite formation, which brings the best out of his front three men i.e. Drogba, Torres and Anelka.
The match against Fulham might see Torres start for the Blues but nothing can be said for sure as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786 will also be pushing for a place in the starting line up.
Moreover, Chelsea have won three out of their last five competitive fixtures. Presently, 5th in the English Premier League table, Ancelotti’s men have been working hard to recapture their form, which was lost in November of 2010.
Team news
Chelsea have a fully fit attacking line up and it is expected that Fernando Torres will start the match for the English champions. It is also anticipated that Chelsea’s new centre back, David Luiz will also start in place of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Branislav-Ivanovic-c7994 in the back
four.
Florent Malouda, John Terry and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Frank-Lampard-c14097 returned fit from international duty last week thus they are also expected to feature prominently for the Blues.
Expected Chelsea line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044
Fulham are expected to be without the services of Bobby http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zamora-c40983 and Dickson Etuhu. The former has not recovered as yet from his leg fracture whereas the latter is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Furthermore, Gael Kakuta will also miss the tie as he is not allowed to face his parent club due to a loan agreement between Chelsea and Fulham.
Expected Fulham line-up: Mark Schwarzer, John Pantsil, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-c10193 Murphy, Damien Duff, Clint Dempsey, Dembele, Andy Johnson.
Key players
Moussa Dembele only recently returned from a knee injury for Fulham and thus he is the key player for the Cottagers. Fulham have benefitted throughout the season from his uncanny skill set.
Signed by Mark Hughes in the summer transfer window from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar, the Belgian striker has set the English Premier League alight with his two goals in eight matches thus far.
In contrast, Didier Drogba will be the man to watch out for on Chelsea’s front. The Ivorian striker has not been in his perfect stride thus far in the 2010-2011 season.
However, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 gaining some of the spotlight for the time being, expect the veteran target man to snatch it back with a goal or two in the London derby.
Prediction
Chelsea haven’t been convincing of late but Fulham haven’t been firing on all cylinders either. One can expect Chelsea’s fire power to pull them through this time. Prediction: 1-2 to Chelsea.
The views expressed by the writers are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of
http://www.bettor.com/
Tags: