Chelsea will face Fulham on Thursday in a Boxing Day London derby at Stamford Bridge. The visitors, who have already shared points with both Liverpool and Arsenal, will aim to replicate that success or even defeat Enzo Maresca’s side, who are seeking a fourth consecutive win at home across all competitions. Here’s what to watch for in this matchup:
1. Chelsea Aim to Bounce Back to Winning Ways
Chelsea’s eight-match winning streak in all competitions came to an end last Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. With Arsenal only three points behind, the Blues will be keen to avoid any further slip-ups, especially at home. Fulham might offer a promising opportunity, as they are one of Chelsea’s most favorable opponents.
Fulham’s record of just two wins in 34 Premier League matches against Chelsea—a meager 6% win rate—is the lowest any team has against another in league history. Moreover, the Cottagers haven’t beaten the Blues at Stamford Bridge since 1979, adding to Chelsea’s historical dominance in this fixture.
2. Boxing Day Challenges
Despite their strong form this season, Chelsea’s Boxing Day history paints a mixed picture. While they won their last Boxing Day match, they lost the two before that. Remarkably, Chelsea have won only two of their 11 Boxing Day London derbies since 1984, both times going on to lift the league title.
Fulham, on the other hand, have performed well in their recent Boxing Day fixtures. They’ve lost only once in their last seven matches on this day. Marco Silva's side are unbeaten in nine consecutive Premier League London derbies since their defeat to Chelsea earlier this year. Additionally, Fulham come into this match on a five-game unbeaten run in the league, adding to their confidence.
3. The Return of Marc Cucurella
Spanish fullback Marc Cucurella is expected to return to Chelsea’s starting lineup after his suspension, providing a significant boost to the team. In his absence, Malo Gusto struggled while playing an inverted role in midfield. Cucurella’s return not only strengthens the defensive structure but also improves Chelsea’s possession and attacking transitions.
If Gusto retains his place alongside Cucurella, Chelsea could revert to a more stable defensive lineup with two natural center-backs instead of deploying Axel Disasi at right-back. Despite the clean sheet against Everton, Cucurella’s absence was keenly felt in Chelsea’s overall gameplay.
4. Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Adjustments Under Scrutiny
One of the main criticisms from Chelsea’s previous match was Enzo Maresca’s decisions regarding player selection and tactical adjustments. Despite having natural fullback options like Josh Acheampong and Renato Veiga, Maresca chose Axel Disasi at right-back, forcing Malo Gusto to start at left-back instead of his favored position on the right. Gusto was also tasked with an inverted role, which has repeatedly proven unsuitable for him. These issues could have been avoided had Veiga been selected, as he is used to playing as a left-back and is better suited to inverting into midfield.
Moreover, Maresca made only two second-half substitutions, introducing Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke. Joao Felix and Marc Guiu, both of whom could have added attacking impetus, remained unused on the bench, a decision that may have cost Chelsea the chance to claim all three points.
5. Possible Changes to the Starting XI
Maresca has shown a willingness to rotate his squad during a packed schedule, as evidenced in Chelsea’s last midweek Premier League match. Christopher Nkunku was preferred over Nicolas Jackson to lead the line. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto made way for Joao Felix and Noni Madueke. Cole Palmer was the only attacker to retain his starting position.
With another league match scheduled for Sunday, squad rotation will likely be a priority for Maresca during the festive period. Managing player fitness will be key as Chelsea prepare to take on Fulham in this crucial Boxing Day clash.