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Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 21
Jan 13, 2024 at 12.30pm UK
Stamford Bridge
Fulham logo

Chelsea
1 - 0
Fulham

Palmer (45+4' pen.)
Gusto (38'), Fernandez (58'), Disasi (75'), Silva (79'), Palmer (79')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Wilson (49')

How Chelsea could line up against Fulham

How Chelsea could line up against Fulham
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Chelsea could line up for Saturday's Premier League West London derby with Fulham.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expects to welcome two players back to the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League West London derby with Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have several guaranteed absences for the capital contest, including Nicolas Jackson (international), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Robert Sanchez (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (hip) and Romeo Lavia (thigh).

Meanwhile, all of Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Ben Chilwell (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) have resumed team training, and Pochettino has confirmed that the former two are on track to be named in the squad for the derby.

With so few options for change at the minute, an unaltered backline should comprise Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill in front of Dorde Petrovic, unless Chilwell or Badiashile are deemed fit enough to start.

Moises Caicedo did not cover himself in glory whatsoever for Hayden Hackney's winner on Tuesday evening, and the Ecuadorian could very well find himself on the bench for Saturday's fixture if Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez pair up in the middle.

A possible alteration in midfield would allow Mykhaylo Mudryk to provide an injection of pace into the attacking line, although Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer - despite the latter's wastefulness in midweek - should hold their places.

Armando Broja was a notable omission from the first XI at Boro, a decision which Pochettino confirmed was related to his workload and previous fitness woes, but a recall to the starting lineup is ostensibly in order for the Albanian attacker.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja

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Written by
Ben Knapton
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How you voted: Chelsea vs Fulham

Chelsea
69.2%
Draw
17.2%
Fulham
13.6%
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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