It is unlikely that even the most optimistic of Fulham supporters would have expected their team to be above West London rivals, Chelsea, at this point in the season.
After all, The Cottagers carry the weight of a painful record – 21 competitive games without a win against tomorrow’s opponents – into their meeting. Fulham’s last triumph against Chelsea came all the way back in March 2006.
Yet, thanks to a great campaign from Marco Silva’s team, Fulham currently sit above them, all the way up in seventh place of the Premier League table – a potential European competition qualification place.
Thursday evening’s hosts will enter the fixture on the back of three consecutive league victories and a win at Hull, in their F.A. Cup Third Round encounter.
Things do not look quite as rosy for Graham Potter and his Chelsea team. Following a strong beginning to his reign as manager, a painful, heavy defeat at his old club, Brighton, was the start of a run of six defeats from nine competitive games. Their most recent one – a ruthless 0-4 mauling at Manchester City.
With four London derbies coming up in their next five fixtures, as well as a tricky trip to Liverpool squeezed between them, now really is the time for Chelsea to set about improving their dismal run of form.
Team News
Fulham
A late yellow card during his team’s most recent win against Leicester City ruled star forward, Aleksandar Mitrovic, out of this fixture. The league’s fourth highest scorer – with 11 goals, this season – will be suspended, due to the booking being his fifth one of the campaign.
As a result, Carlos Vinicius will expect to keep his place in the team, after also starting at the MKM Stadium, in the win against Hull.
Silva expressed his faith in the Brazilian forward, during his pre-match press conference:
"He knows what he has to do in each moment of the game. The main thing is I want him to be himself and play with full confidence."
During that F.A. Cup fixture, controversial summer signing, Manor Solomon, earned his first minutes since the opening day of this season’s Premier League campaign. The 23-year-old winger should see some more game time off the bench to build up his match fitness, following a serious knee injury.
Shane Duffy and Neeskens Kebano were both confirmed to be ruled out of contention. The latter continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
Excluding the aforementioned Mitrovic, Silva would seem likely to field the same 11, as the one which earned the impressive 0-1 win at Leicester.
Chelsea
Problems on the pitch - reflected by their tenth place position in the Premier League - are not the only issue that Potter is currently having to contend with.
Edouard Mendy, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja are all on Chelsea’s injury list and will not play a part in tomorrow's clash.
The only positive bit of injury-related news is that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was confirmed to be available for selection.
Potter certainly feels as if the health issues amongst his squad are contributing towards their disappointing run of form:
"The players who are unavailable skews the picture a bit. I don't think we are as far away as it seems from the outside." - stated the manager, in his pre-match press conference.
The club await confirmation whether their new loan signing, Joao Felix, will be available for selection. Potter inferred that the Portuguese forward will be ready to feature, if so:
"From a physical perspective, he can go in. It's always a little bit of an unknown period as he is going from one club to another, but that's on a case-to-case basis."
With Potter providing plenty of opportunities for youngsters such as Lewis Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Amari Hutchinson in recent weeks, it may not be a shock to see one of them snatch a place in the starting lineup, from one of the more experienced heads.
Winter signings David Fofana and Beniot Badiashile provide further options.
Predicted Lineups
Fulham
(4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Reid, Pereira, Willian; Vinicius.
Chelsea
(4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Kovacic, Zakaria; Ziyech, Mount, Aubameyang.
Key Players
Fulham - Willian
The former Chelsea man has enjoyed a fairly positive time at Fulham, so far.
Even though his goal contributions have been rather infrequent - a single goal and two assists, in his 11 league appearances - the level of his general play has warranted consistent starts.
The vastly experienced Brazilian had previously spent seven full seasons across West London. Chelsea will long retain a place in Willian's heart, following his time with the club between 2013-2020.
However, he will have to put that to one side, as the need to help pick up a huge result for his current team will become the priority.
Chelsea - Thiago Silva
Willian's countryman has been one of the few impressive performers of this season for Chelsea.
The 38-year-old centre-back is showing no signs of a decline, as he continues to be a reliable presence at the heart of his team's backline.
Chelsea's defensive record this season has, actually, been an impressive one. The Blues have conceded the fourth-least amount of goals out of all Premier League clubs. It is at the other end of the pitch, where their main issues seem to lie.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
Craven Cottage - which will host just its' second London derby of this season.
What time is kick-off?
The game is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00 BST, on Thursday evening.
How can I watch?
Live coverage within the U.K. is scheduled on BT Sport 1.
