Chelsea vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups and more today – UK Times

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games (W6 D3), last having a longer run without defeat in Thomas Tuchel’s first 10 in charge of the club between January and March 2021. The Blues’ only two defeats this season have come against reigning champions Manchester City, and current league leaders Liverpool.

Nicolas Jackson has a combined 15 goals (11) and assists (4) in his last 19 Premier League starts at Stamford Bridge. Jackson also has 13 goal involvements in his last 12 London derby appearances in the league (11 goals, 2 assists).

Two goalkeepers on Chelsea’s bench today, but the starting XI is still looking formidable. Neto and Sancho are for many the wide pair who may establish themselves as the first choice, though Madueke – absent today – has been excellent this term.

For Fulham, they’ll hope the back three on show today can keep out the No9 and No10 pairing of the hosts.

In his pre-match conference, Enzo Maresca said that Chelsea “are ahead of our expectations in terms of the way we are playing and in terms of points. Our main focus is to see how we can improve the players.

“It’s not about the pressure. I would like to have that kind or pressure and hopefully we can have that pressure. The reality for me is we are not there [as title challengers],” he added.

“I think, for sure, the reality is we are second. It’s almost halfway so probably the table reflect the teams where they are. Liverpool are doing fantastic since the first day.

“Probably the squad, they have already lived that kind of moment [to win a trophy]. You need to live that kind of moment to raise and be close. I think Manchester City at the end will be there [too],” he added when asked about the teams at the top.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 19 home league games against Fulham (W12 D7) since a 2-0 loss in the second tier in October 1979.

Fulham have won just two of their 34 Premier League games against Chelsea (D11 L21), with their 6% win rate against the Blues the lowest any side has another in the competition’s history (min. 20 meetings).

Both sides have arguably exceeded expectations so far this season, with Chelsea experiencing a resurgence under new manager Enzo Maresca.

The Blues sit in second at the start of Boxing Day, just four points behind Liverpool (who have a game in hand) and two above Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Fulham begin the day in ninth, on 25 points, but they could go as high as sixth (however briefly) if they were to pick up three points.

These two sides first met as long ago as 1910, and there have been around 60 official meetings since. Overall, Chelsea have won 38, Fulham have won four, and 18 have ended as draws.

Last season, Chelsea took three points from both meetings, winning 1-0 at home and 2-0 away.

As well as City’s match with Everton earlier, there are six more games to keep track of in the Premier League today.

This match kicks off at 3pm, along with:

Nottingham Forest v Tottenham

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

In addition, Wolves host Manchester United at 5.30pm, while Liverpool take on Leicester at Anfield at 8pm.

The report from last time out as Chelsea drew to Everton…

Chelsea squandered the chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool as they were held to a goalless draw by Everton at Goodison Park.

Sean Dyche’s side became the first team since Newcastle in October to prevent the Londoners from scoring – and only the third this season – and that brought to an end an eight-match winning run.

While there was no immediate new owner bounce for the Toffees, watched by incoming executive chairman Marc Watts and other representatives of The Freidkin Group after Thursday’s takeover, this was a continuation of the progress which has brought a degree of stability on the pitch.

Here’s how the teams are lining up today

The line-ups should be released in around five minutes.

Remember that Chelsea remain without Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and potentially Romeo Lavia, while Fulham are missing Harrison Reed, Reiss Nelson and Kenny Tete, while Sander Berge is a doubt after turning his ankle against Southampton.