Chelsea head just down the road to Craven Cottage on Saturday to face Fulham (Watch live on NBCSN at 10 a.m. ET and online via Live Extra) as top plays bottom in the Premier League standings.
This West London derby isn’t usually the most ferocious in England but its importance this season cannot be understated.
Fulham’s new manager Felix Magath make his home debut, as the German manager looks to build on his sides 1-1 draw at West Brom last weekend. Chelsea haven’t lost in 12 PL games and can extend their lead at the top of the standings with a win.
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Chelsea traveled to Galatasaray in midweek to play in the Champions League, so could be suffering from tiredness as Fulham look to grab a vital three points in their quest for safety. But Chelsea haven’t lost to the Cottagers in 16 games, and only once in their last 35.
In team news Fulham start with Darren Bent up front, while U.S. international Clint Dempsey also starts. Chelsea bring in Ramires and Nemanja Matic into central midfield, while Fernando Torres starts up front in the PL after his goal and all round good performance in the Champions League.
LINEUPS
Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Richardson; Dejagah, Parker, Sidwell, Dempsey; Kasami, Bent. Subs: Stockdale, Riise, Burn, Kvist, Holtby, Karagounis, Rodallega
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Torres. Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, D Luiz, Mikel, Lampard, Willian, Ba
