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WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2014. 15:00 UK Time
WHERE: Craven Cottage, London, England
WEATHER FORECAST: Good Temperature, Rainfall is unlikely
Chelsea failed to hold on to a one goal lead at Istanbul as a result of their failure to kill off the game during the first half. In the end, it was a good date with our legend, Didier Drogba, it was good to see Drogba come up against us and share passionate hug with the boys.
So on to Fulham (the worst team in the division, not Manchester United). This is the sort of game Chelsea have to win even though it's a London derby. Chelsea may be a little tired as a result of their journey to Turkey and the inconsiderate Premier League scheduling, only a win will be acceptable.
TEAM NEWS
Marco Van Ginkel is sure to miss out of this fixture. We don't know if David Luiz will be available as he wasn't on the bench against Galatasaray. Mohammed Salah and Nemanja Matic were cup-tied for the Galatasaray fixture but are now back in contention.
PREDICTED LINEUP
It's important that Mourinho avoids starting a tired side against Fulham. Cole in place of Azpilicueta should not be a bad move, the Spanish international has given his all in every game and deserves a rest.
Nemanja Matic has become the first choice in the pivot within a very short time and will almost surely start given his ineligibility for Chelsea in the Champions League. Fulham will potentially park the bus so I picked Frank Lampard ahead of Ramires and John Obi Mikel.
I think Eden Hazard has looked like he needs rest in recent games but he is needed in every game at this point of the season so he will need to come strong in this fixture. Oscar needed to rest, he came on late against Galatasaray so he has to bounce out of that dip in form. Salah's ineligibility in the Champions League might allow Mourinho hand him his first start for the club.
Fernando Torres started and scored Chelsea's only goal in the Galatasaray game so there's a good chance he will start. I selected Eto'o ahead of him mainly because of his good linkup play with Eden Hazard especially and also due to the Cameroonian's ability to operate in little spaces.
ENEMY'S VIEW: Cottagers Confidential
KEY PLAYER
Since his hat-trick against Newcastle, Eden Hazard hasn't been playing at the same level. It's hard to play at that level in every game though but Eden Hazard and we all want him to become the very best soon so he needs to be at that level in most games.
Fulham are the worst in the division in almost every department, their full-backs are not good, their defence is poor so they concede in every possible manner and they are not fast too. Hazard will spend most of the time running at Riether which should not be a difficult task for the Belgian.
Eden Hazard needs to step up to the occasion not just to help Chelsea win but own the headlines too by putting up an hazardous display. He will need as much help as possible from Oscar, Lampard and others.
PREDICTION: Fulham 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea have what it takes to batter Fulham but the only problem will be the one Jose Mourinho has always highlighted, Chelsea can't kill games. They will need to improve on that or settle for a 0-0 or 0-1 scoreline, neither result will be good enough.
John Terry and company must work hard to keep a clean sheet. Only a clean sheet will be good for the defence's reputation. It's also very important to concede less goals and score more as pointed out by the present standings.
If Chelsea live up to expectation, this is a game we really should be winning and by a very good margin too. Good luck Chelsea!
WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2014. 15:00 UK Time
WHERE: Craven Cottage, London, England
WEATHER FORECAST: Good Temperature, Rainfall is unlikely
Chelsea failed to hold on to a one goal lead at Istanbul as a result of their failure to kill off the game during the first half. In the end, it was a good date with our legend, Didier Drogba, it was good to see Drogba come up against us and share passionate hug with the boys.
So on to Fulham (the worst team in the division, not Manchester United). This is the sort of game Chelsea have to win even though it's a London derby. Chelsea may be a little tired as a result of their journey to Turkey and the inconsiderate Premier League scheduling, only a win will be acceptable.
TEAM NEWS
Marco Van Ginkel is sure to miss out of this fixture. We don't know if David Luiz will be available as he wasn't on the bench against Galatasaray. Mohammed Salah and Nemanja Matic were cup-tied for the Galatasaray fixture but are now back in contention.
PREDICTED LINEUP
It's important that Mourinho avoids starting a tired side against Fulham. Cole in place of Azpilicueta should not be a bad move, the Spanish international has given his all in every game and deserves a rest.
Nemanja Matic has become the first choice in the pivot within a very short time and will almost surely start given his ineligibility for Chelsea in the Champions League. Fulham will potentially park the bus so I picked Frank Lampard ahead of Ramires and John Obi Mikel.
I think Eden Hazard has looked like he needs rest in recent games but he is needed in every game at this point of the season so he will need to come strong in this fixture. Oscar needed to rest, he came on late against Galatasaray so he has to bounce out of that dip in form. Salah's ineligibility in the Champions League might allow Mourinho hand him his first start for the club.
Fernando Torres started and scored Chelsea's only goal in the Galatasaray game so there's a good chance he will start. I selected Eto'o ahead of him mainly because of his good linkup play with Eden Hazard especially and also due to the Cameroonian's ability to operate in little spaces.
ENEMY'S VIEW: Cottagers Confidential
KEY PLAYER
Since his hat-trick against Newcastle, Eden Hazard hasn't been playing at the same level. It's hard to play at that level in every game though but Eden Hazard and we all want him to become the very best soon so he needs to be at that level in most games.
Fulham are the worst in the division in almost every department, their full-backs are not good, their defence is poor so they concede in every possible manner and they are not fast too. Hazard will spend most of the time running at Riether which should not be a difficult task for the Belgian.
Eden Hazard needs to step up to the occasion not just to help Chelsea win but own the headlines too by putting up an hazardous display. He will need as much help as possible from Oscar, Lampard and others.
PREDICTION: Fulham 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea have what it takes to batter Fulham but the only problem will be the one Jose Mourinho has always highlighted, Chelsea can't kill games. They will need to improve on that or settle for a 0-0 or 0-1 scoreline, neither result will be good enough.
John Terry and company must work hard to keep a clean sheet. Only a clean sheet will be good for the defence's reputation. It's also very important to concede less goals and score more as pointed out by the present standings.
If Chelsea live up to expectation, this is a game we really should be winning and by a very good margin too. Good luck Chelsea!
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