With the intention of picking up their 2nd Premier League victory of the 2023/24 season and their 2nd win in a row across all competitions, Chelsea visit Craven Cottage to battle Fulham.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have had a horrible start to the season, picking up only 5 points from their first six matches.
They sit 14th on the Premier League table, having recorded 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses from 6 matches.
However, they have high hopes going into the clash on Monday, October 2, 2023, after securing a smash-and-grab victory against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues responded to a 1-0 league loss to Aston Villa on Matchday 6, with a slim victory in the Carabao Cup, defeating the Seagulls by 1-0.
In a season that has been marred with injuries to key players, with the latest casualty being Ben Chilwell, Chelsea still have their sights on achieving relative success under Mauricio Pochettino.
Have Fulham started the season better than Chelsea?
Meanwhile, Fulham have had a better start to the season than Chelsea, as they sit 11th on the Premier League table, with 8 points from 6 matches.
Marco Silva’s side have recorded 2 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws since the start of the season, as they look to finish in European football positions this season.
They lost striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al Hilal at the start of the season, and replacement Raul Jimenez is yet to hit the ground running.
The Cottagers finished 10th in the Premier League last season, three positions below the Conference League qualification position.
Fulham have fared better against lesser oppositions this season, recording wins against Everton and Luton Town.
They also shared the spoils at the Emirates, dragging Premier League runner-up Arsenal to a 2-2 draw.
Marco Silva’s side losses this season have come against Brentford (0 – 2) and Manchester City (5 – 1).
In their last league outing, they drew 0-0 with Fulham, but they followed that up with a 2-1 win over Norwich City in the Carabao Cup 3rd round.
They are in high spirits for the clash with Chelsea, having picked up positive results against the club last season.
Fulham defeated Chelsea by 2-1 at Craven Cottage and then drew 0-0 with the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
Anyway, Mauricio Pochettino’s side can take solace in the fact that his side comfortably beat Fulham by 2-0 in preseason.
Team news for Fulham
The Cottagers will continue to examine full-back Kenne Tete, who is battling a groin issue.
Sasa Lukic is back to training and available for action on Monday, October 2, 2023.
However, Tosin Adarabioyo and Adama Traore, Steven-Adreas Benda, and Calvin Bassey remain sidelined due to injury.
Team news for Chelsea
Chelsea will be without the services of Nicolas Jackson due to suspension, while Malo Gusto serves the second of his three-game suspension.
Ben Chilwell sustained a hamstring injury in the Blues Carabao Cup clash with Brighton, and he is absent from the visit to Craven Cottage.
Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke might feature in this encounter, but the place of the latter in the starting XI looks to be shrouded in uncertainty.
Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, Marcus Bettinelli, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Nathaniel Chalobah, and Wesley Fofana remain sidelined due to injury.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
The Blues might be relishing the prospect of recording their league win against Fulham, but it would be a tall order.
Their injury issues remain a big blight on their season, with their first-choice full-backs all absent due to injury.
If any side was to get a victory in this London derby it would be Fulham, as the odds are stacked on them, and given the performances of Chelsea this season.
However, the most possible result for Monday, October 2, 2023, is a draw, and both sides might be content with sharing the spoils at the end of the day.
Kick-Off Time: 08:00 PM (BST)
Relive the action from last season at Craven Cottage:
