| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
CHELSEA  Cech Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Cole Ramires, Romeu, Meireles Sturridge, Drogba, Mata | FULHAM  Stockdale Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, J. A. Riise Ruiz, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey Dembele Johnson |
Fulham manager Martin Jol has been fairly consistent in his team selection in recent weeks and looks set to continue with striker Bobby Zamora out of the starting line-up. Chris Baird could be replaced by Stephen Kelly at right-back after being substituted against Manchester United.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Chelsea have faced Fulham 74 times in all competitions since the two sides first met in 1910. The Blues have dominated the match-up, their 42 wins dwarfing the Cottagers’ total of nine victories.
- Andre Villas-Boas’ side held on with 10 men to draw 0-0 before winning on penalties in the League Cup in September when the two teams last met.
- The highest scoring encounter between the two teams came in the 1983/84 season in what was then the Football League Division Two (now the Championship). On that occasion, Chelsea secured a 5-3 victory at Craven Cottage.
- John Terry (pictured right) and John Obi Mikel give the ball away less than any other Chelsea player, with both maintaining a 91.6 per cent pass success rate.
- Chelsea have collected the most yellow cards in the Premier League so far this season, with the current total at 41.
- Despite their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United on Wednesday, Fulham have been in reasonable form in recent weeks. They have won two, drawn two and lost two in their last six, a pace that over a full season would likely put them in the top half.
- That run has included not only Manchester United but also matches against top four contenders Liverpool and Arsenal.
- Fulham have won four out of the five Premier League games in which Clint Dempsey has scored this season.
- Steve Sidwell and Damien Duff are former Chelsea players in the Fulham squad but the former is injured and the latter is unlikely to start on Boxing Day having fallen out of favour in recent weeks.
- Chelsea fans will have fond memories of Fulham defender John Arne Riise – the left-back headed in an own goal in injury time of the 2007-08 Champions League semi-final first leg while playing for Liverpool, tipping the tie in the Blues’ favour.
Fulham have been tight defensively away from home, conceding only nine goals in eight matches – less than the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal – but they have only scored four and won once.
Chelsea have not been troubled by a mid-table club at home yet this season, and they shouldn’t be here, although the visitors will be determined to improve on the five they shipped to Manchester United.
Chelsea have not been troubled by a mid-table club at home yet this season, and they shouldn’t be here, although the visitors will be determined to improve on the five they shipped to Manchester United.
Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham 
