Chelsea appoint Liam Rosenior ahead of London derby.

Fulham vs. Chelsea kicks off at 19:30 [GMT] on Wednesday, January 7, at Craven Cottage.

Fulham [WWWDD] currently sit 11th in the table with 28 points, enjoying a relatively stable campaign and remaining within touching distance of the top half. Marco Silva’s side have been particularly competitive at home, winning 50% of their last six league matches at Craven Cottage. That record underlines Fulham’s comfort on familiar ground, where their organised structure and quick transitions have caused problems for more fancied opponents. While consistency has sometimes been elusive, Fulham have shown that they can raise their level in London derbies, especially when backed by a strong home crowd. Historically, this fixture strongly favours Chelsea. Fulham have lost 67% of the last six Premier League meetings between the sides, and Chelsea have avoided defeat in 26 of their last 28 encounters with Fulham across all competitions. That psychological edge cannot be ignored, particularly in derby fixtures where confidence and belief often play a major role. A 4—2—3—1 with Raúl Jiménez in attack may be seen against the Blues.

Chelsea arrive across west London in 5th place with 31 points, just three ahead of Fulham, having parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day. Liam Rosenior has been named Chelsea head coach, slipping into the managerial role five days after Maresca’s departure. 'There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club,’ the British coach said. Meanwhile, their recent form has been frustrating rather than convincing. The Blues have managed just one win in their last eight Premier League matches, a run that has stalled their push toward the Champions League places. Although they remain difficult to beat, turning draws into wins has been a recurring issue. Chelsea have drawn three consecutive away league matches, reflecting a cautious approach on the road that has limited both risk and reward. Across all competitions, Chelsea have drawn three of their last six games, further highlighting a side that is solid but lacking sharpness in decisive moments. However, this season’s context suggests a closer contest than the history alone might imply. Fulham’s solid home record and Chelsea’s difficulty in securing wins create a scenario where margins will be slim. Fulham will likely look to press selectively, disrupt Chelsea’s build-up, and capitalize on set-piece opportunities, while Chelsea will aim to control possession and patiently probe for openings. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Joao Pedro in attack is expected against Fulham.