Team News: Chelsea vs. Fulham: Marc Cucurella returns, Marco Silva makes five changes

Chelsea and Fulham have announced their teams for the West London derby at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

The Blues head into this contest looking for the win that would move them to within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool, albeit having played two matches more.

Enzo Maresca has opted to make just the one change to his starting lineup, recalling Marc Cucurella after a one-match ban to take the spot of Axel Disasi.

Rather than freshen up his attack, the Italian has opted to keep faith with the likes of Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho, with Noni Madueke missing out on the squad altogether.

© Imago

Fulham make five changes

Meanwhile, Marco Silva has decided to make five changes to his Fulham XI from the team that started the goalless draw with Southampton.

Joachim Andersen returns to the side in what appears to be a back five or three with two wing-backs, with Sasa Lukic and Andreas Pereira also returning to the centre of midfield.

Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez have taken their spots in the final third alongside Alex Iwobi.

Sander Berge, Tom Cairney, Harry Wilson, Josh King and Rodrigo Muniz have all dropped out of the team.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Acheampong, Disasi, Casadei, George, Felix, Nkunku, Guiu

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Anderson, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Jimenez, Iwobi

Subs: Benda, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Cairney, King, Godo, Wilson, Vinicius, Muniz