Stamford Bridge, 19:45 local time.
Since Carlo names the team early and the match is just under 2 days away, we should make this thread now. This time picking the team will be cruical as this is a derby game against a very tough and physicall team.
History:
Fulham was one of the reasons that Chelsea FC was created but both clubs have little fight in between them.
Fulham are the oldest currently established London club. A developer offered them the Stamford Bridge ground in 1905 but Fulham refused. That made him decide to start a football club himself : Chelsea FC. Over the years Fulham and Chelsea haven't been in the same league very often so the obvious rivalry never strongly developed. Both of the grounds are located very close to each other.
Preview and Team news:
CFC
After the defeat to Liverpool, we dropped to 5th place (form wise) in the premier league. At the Bridge we have been brilliant, winning all 5 of our games but its our away form that haunts us.
A big plus is the return of Frank Lampard who is expected to be 'fit' for the game after all charges against him have been dropped by the "Gods of Football" association and it all depends on Carlo to play him or not. Essein is expected to be available too, luckily his injury was just a minor one which leaves only Benayoun out injured. Chelsea needs to win this one especially due to the other derby being played in Manchester.
Carlo has been handed all his guns blazing to get back to get back to the blue domination.
Fulham
Fulham have had a considebrably worse start to the season than the previous one. After their run in the Europa league, more was expected from them but they have been very inconsistent after the change in management. Although they don't get many wins , they are a tough nut to crack who don't let in alot of goals and don't lose very often even away from home. They miss out on Zamora who broke his leg and is out for most of the season but with the likes of Dempsey , Hangeland and Davies lurking around, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Head to Head
Chelsea---------------------Fulham
11------------Played-----------11
25------------Points------------13
8---------------Won-------------2
1--------------Drawn------------7
2---------------Lost--------------2
27------------Scored-----------13
5------------Conceded---------12
1---------League Position-----13
Chelsea-----------------------Fulham
LWDWWL--------Form------DDLLWD
Recent Meetings
28-12-09------------EPL------------Chelsea-----------2 - 1------------Fulham
23-08-09------------EPL------------Fulham------------0 - 2------------Chelsea
02-05-09------------EPL------------Chelsea-----------3 - 1------------Fulham
28-12-08------------EPL------------Fulham------------2 - 2------------Chelsea
01-01-08------------EPL------------Fulham------------1 - 2------------Chelsea
My Team
-----------------------Cech---------------------------
Ivanovic--------Alex---------Terry----------Cole--
|-----------------------Mikel----------------------\--
|---------------Essien-----Lampard-------------|----
-\->-----Anelka--|------------|-Malouda-------|---
-------------\------|--Drogba-|-----/---------<-/---
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