Chelsea team news vs Fulham and predicted lineup | OneFootball

West London pride will be at stake when Fulham make the short trip to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League showdown with Chelsea on Saturday.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Fulham

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Neto, Palmer; Joao Pedro.

Enzo Maresca’s Blues recovered from a disjointed opening stalemate against Crystal Palace to fire five past West Ham United. But they will expect a tough examination from a Fulham side that has come from behind to collect draws against Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United.

This game kicks off at 12:30pm and will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1.

Chelsea team news vs Fulham

Blues fans will be pondering the fitness of Cole Palmer, despite seeing their side rattle five past a hapless West Ham at the London Stadium in his absence.

The 23-year-old withdrew from the Hammers game just before kick-off after he ‘felt something’ in his groin during the warm-up, as reported by his manager.

Palmer underwent a scan in the days that followed and the results were said to be positive in dispatches. By the middle of this week he had not returned to first-team training.

The international break looms after the weekend, with England set for World Cup qualifying matches against Andorra and Serbia. And it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be risk-averse and possibly hold Palmer back with a chance to gain more rest after Saturday.

Defender Levi Colwill is on the long-term absentee list for the Blues after a serious ACL injury, while Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile are unlikely to make their returns this month.

A one-sided derby

Fulham’s win in this fixture last season was very much against the grain. It ended a 21-game winless streak away to Chelsea in all competitions and Fulham have never won consecutive visits to Stamford Bridge in their history.

Indeed, Chelsea dominate this West London derby in a manner unprecedented in the Premier League era. The Blues have lost only three of 36 Premier League games against Fulham, a loss percentage of 8.3%. It’s the joint-lowest loss rate one side has against another with a minimum of 20 meetings.

Marco Silva and his side do have some away-day form to lean on when it comes to London derbies. They’ve won four of their last eight away games in the league against fellow capital outfits. Their only previous back-to-back away wins against London opposition came with victories over Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur in 2003.

With Palmer still a doubt, summer signing Joao Pedro could be the man to spearhead the Chelsea attack. The former Brighton ace has four goals and two assists in his four games in all competitions.

Maresca will be hoping he can continue his hot streak and help Chelsea maintain their stunning track record against their neighbours.