Chelsea FC will face Fulham tonight with hopes to secure a much-needed win from a derby described by pundits as: “important in west London”.
Chelsea is currently 10th on the table, three points and three places behind their opponents, after a run of just one win in eight Premier League games, leaving their manager under huge pressure so soon into his time in charge. Joao Felix, though, has arrived on loan and could be handed a debut this evening.
The Blues are on a miserable run away from home, last winning on the road in October, and will have to significantly improve if they are to return to winning ways here against a side full of confidence.
Fulham have won all four of their matches since the World Cup, leaving them seventh in the table and within sight of the European spots.
The Fulham vs Chelsea match is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off on Thursday January 12, 2023 at Craven Cottage in west London.
Good news! BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch the contest online via the BT Sport website or app.
Head to head, Fulham has not won any of their last four encounters.
Meanwhile, Fulham will be without Aleksandar Mitrovic tonight. This is a huge blow to Marco Silva, after the striker picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Leicester.
Therefore, Carlos Vinicius is likely to replace the missing Fulham’s talisman, while Layvin Kurzawa is likely to make his second Premier League start of the season.
Joao Felix will be in line for his first time as a Chelsea player having arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was absent from the squad thumped by Manchester City in the FA Cup due to a minor back injury, but is expected to be fit to start if required.
