Chelsea aim to boost top four bid in west London derby

Chelsea look to boost their bid for a top four place whilst condemning Scott Parker’s Fulham to almost certain relegation. 

After Arsenal and Tottenham drew, Maurizio Sarri’s team can capitalise on other results to make up ground in the top four race. They travel to Craven Cottage knowing a win in Scott Parker’s first game as Fulham manager will not be easy, with the home fans eager to fight for survival whilst the feat remains mathematically possible. 

The Cottagers have won just one of the their 27 Premier League meetings with the blue side of west London and if there were ever a time Fulham needed a win more than ever, it’s now.

A 2-0 win in December secured the Blues an easy three points over their rivals, Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek scoring either side of half time. 

A more important 2-0 win came for Sarri’s side on Wednesday, dispatching Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

The win turned Chelsea’s dampened sprits around and the Italian’s team will be eager to close the gap on the top four to just two points.

Scott Parker is a man just taking over from an Italian, after Claudio Ranieri departed the club. Their run of seven defeats in eight leaves Fulham ten points from safety and staring down the barrel of an imminent return to the Championship.

Parker, who played for both Fulham and Chelsea, could be without Andre Schurrle as illness could rule him out of facing his former employers. Alfie Mawson and Marcus Bettinelli also continue their recoveries.

Parker also played for London clubs Tottenham and Charlton but his side have lost nine London derbies this season and could become the first team to lose ten in a single campaign.

Chelsea have no injury concerns with all eyes on the decision of which goalkeeper to play, Willy Caballero fighting to keep Kepa Arrizabalaga out of the line-up.

Chelsea have lost their last three Premier League away games by an aggregate of 0-12 but will be confident of getting back on track against their west London rivals.