Having shared points against Newcastle 1-1 on Thursday. The Blues will continue their pre-season tour, with Chelsea vs Fulham coming up on Sunday at FedEx Field in Maryland.
Even though it’s just club friendly. It’s more like a West London club derby, because the two teams usually face each other with a high level of winning mentality.
The Cottagers were brilliant in all competitions last season. As a result, they have the ability to frustrate, maybe destroy Chelsea on their pre-season tour on Sunday.
The Blues have been brilliant and impressive under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine gaffer is improving the squad, as per their statistics so far in the pre-season.
Chelsea have been unbeaten on their USA pre-season tour. They won 5-0 over Wrexham, 4-3 against Brighton Albion, and 1-1 against Newcastle.
As a result, they have been able to score 10 goals in three matches. Apparently, it shows that Mauricio Pochettino is heavily ready for the Premier League this season.
Of course, the Blues have many brilliant and talented players. Therefore, it’s an opportunity for the Argentine manager, because he has enough qualities in the squad.
Newcastle and Brighton Albion didn’t make it easy for Chelsea last season. However, they conqured both teams on their USA pre-season tour, showing their winning spirit.
Chelsea vs Fulham is never club friendly. It’s a West London club derby, as both teams are close to each other. That’s why it’s going to be a long 90-minute on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Mauricio Pochettino is obviously ready to take on the Cottagers. He knows they are able to frustrate his troops like Newcastle at FedEx Field.
On the contrary, Fulham have played just two pre-season fixtures so far this season. However, they were able to claim only one victory, which was 3-2 over Brentford.
The Cottagers lost 2-0 to Aston Villa. Therefore, they wouldn’t want to lose back-to-back, wanting to face Chelsea with a high level of winning spirit.
Meanwhile, Marco Silva was closed to moving to Saudi Arabia in this summer’s transfer window. However, he decided to stay with the Cottagers ahead of next season.
The Portuguese manager is very talented and tactical. At least, he frustrated many top teams in the Premier League last campaign.
As a result, he knows how to win over Chelsea. However, the Blues would want to continue their unbeaten streak, before Liverpool match.
Fulham would have to be cautious of Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk. Both players have been making headlines for the Blues so far on their USA pre-season tour.
Chelsea vs Fulham team newsÂ
Of course, Chelsea have sold many players in this summer’s transfer window. The likes of Havertz, Mount, Mendy, Pulisic, and others aren’t at the club anymore.
Also, Callum Hudson-Odoi isn’t part of the squad. He’s currently close to joining Fulham, ready to play regularly in the Premier League this season.
Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech remain at Cobham. They didn’t travel to the United States of America with the squad.
As a result, they are reportedly training alone, finding possible ways to leave Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, the Blues have a well-equipped squad.
Amazingly, Benoit Badiashile is recovering very well from his injury. He’s now close to returning to the field and training with his teammates.
Despite traveling with the squad, Dujuan Whisper Richards continues to train alone. He hasn’t made any appearances for the Blues on their USA pre-season tour.
Chelsea haven’t signed Moisés Caicedo from Brighton Albion. As a result, they are expected to continue with the same midfield shape against Fulham.
Noni Madueke is fit and available. However, he hasn’t featured in any matches for the Blues. Which means he’s most likely to get some minutes against the Cottagers.
Also, Gabriel Slonina is back in squad, training. He was on the bench against Newcastle on Thursday, as Kepa Arrizabalaga started on goal.
Wesley Fofana is still on the sidelines as a result of an injury. Meanwhile, Reece James is back in the squad, playing 64 minutes against the Magpies.
As regards Fulham, Joao Palhinha suffered a shoulder injury against Brentford. As a result, he’s unavailable to face Chelsea on Thursday.
In all fairness, that’s a massive miss for the Cottagers. Because the Portuguese midfielder usually plays a significant role in the midfield, helping the team’s performance.
Aleksandar Mitrović has been dropped back-to-back by Marco Silva in their last club friendlies. It was confirmed that the player wasn’t training properly.
Nevertheless, he’s most likely to face the Blues at FedEx Field. Of course, he’s a goal-machine, who has the ability to destroy Chelsea’s defense line on Sunday.
Chelsea possible lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kepa, Gusto, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Santos, Enzo; Ângelo, Chukwuemeka, Sterling; Jackson.Â
Fulham possible lineup (4-2-3-1):
Leno; Tete, De Fougerolles, Diop, Mbabu; Reed, Lukic; Wilson, Cairney, Reid; Carlos Vinicius.
Chelsea vs Fulham predictions
The Blues are expected to face the Cottagers like they faced Brighton Albion. Both teams humiliated Chelsea in the league last campaign.
As a result, Mauricio Pochettino won’t hold back against Marco Silva’s men. Of course, it’s more than just a friendly match to both teams.
Chelsea failed to win against Fulham in the Premier League last season. They lost one and drew the other against the Cottagers.
Therefore, the Blues would want to silence Fulham at FedEx Field on Sunday. The victory will mean a lot to the West London club.
Both Brighton Albion and Newcastle frustrated Chelsea last season. Meanwhile, the Blues have already proven them wrong on their USA pre-season tour.
Therefore, Mauricio Pochettino’s troops would want to win on Sunday. Because it would make them gather momentum ahead of their Premier League fixtures.
Chelsea 3-1 FulhamÂ
Kick-off timeÂ
As regards the West London club derby. Chelsea vs Fulham will kick-off at 19:45pm BST on Sunday, as it will take place at FedEx Field in Maryland.