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Fulham logo
Premier League
Mar 1, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-3

Heitinga (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Schurrle (52', 65', 69')

Preview: Fulham vs. Chelsea

Sports Mole previews the crucial West London derby at Craven Cottage as Felix McGath takes charge of bottom-of-the-table Fulham against title-chasing Chelsea.

Top meets bottom in the Premier League on Saturday as title-chasing Chelsea travel to lowly Fulham for a West London derby that has a lot riding on it.

The Cottagers, who are currently four points from safety and without a win in seven top-flight match, have called upon Felix Magath to save them from relegation.

The experienced German coach saw three points snatched from him in his first game in charge last weekend as Matej Vydra struck an 85th-minute equaliser for West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

On the other hand, Chelsea are unbeaten in 12 outings and were the beneficiary of a late goal when veteran pairing Frank Lampard and John Terry combined to sneak them over the line against Everton.

Fernando Torres responded to leaked quotes from Blues manager Jose Mourinho regarding his lack of striking options by scoring in Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League last-16 draw with Galatasaray.

However, Mourinho is likely to revert back to 32-year-old forward Samuel Eto'o for domestic duties, while Nemanja Matic should be restored in the centre of the park after being ineligible in midweek.

Oscar is another who could be recalled, to play the number 10 role in which Andre Schurrle operated in against the Turkish giants, as Chelsea go seeking a win that could take them four points clear of Arsenal.

Fulham's record signing Kostas Mitroglou is in contention to make his first start since signing from Olympiacos for £12m in January, with Hugo Rodallega possibly making way as the lone frontman.

Magath turned to more experienced heads for his debut draw, with Scott Parker and Brede Hangeland recalled, and John Arne Riise could join them in the XI at the expense of Fernando Amorebieta.

Recent form

Fulham: DLDDLL

Chelsea: DWLDWW

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Risse; Parker, Sidwell; Dejagah, Holtby, Richardson; Mitroglou

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o

Sports Mole says: 0-2


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Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2013
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Tables header RHS
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2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
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8Chelsea34149116559651
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
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17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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