PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: CHELSEA V FULHAM
TACTICAL BRIEF
Both sides need to return to winning ways. We look at the factors that will decide which way the game may go.
Key battles
Both teams saw key players move on in the summer, but while Chelsea countered the departures of Didier Drogba et al with the signature of keen attacking midfielders, Fulham replaced Clint Dempsey (a regular thorn in Chelsea's side) with a more efficient marksman who fills the same deep-lying position, Dimitar Berbatov (pictured below). Berbatov plays behind another successful signing, striker Mladen Petric.
Rafael Benítez's pairing of Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz at centre-back was a success against City's stellar attack, but Fulham have stealth too. The Serbia-Brazil axis was helped by César Azpilicueta's growing confidence at right back, and the manager may elect to stick with that four despite Gary Cahill's recovery from fever.
Benítez, who will be aware of the need to rest some players ahead of an enormously busy schedule, may re-examine his central midfield to press more effectively and quicken the attacking momentum, possibly with the reintroduction of Oriol Romeu. In any case, at previous clubs the manager earned a reputation for changing his starting line-ups.
Jol complained that his players allowed Stoke to 'bully' them - Chelsea have shown less capacity to do that in the last few matches than has been the case in previous seasons.
The Fulham manager likes to play offensively from midfield and even down to 10 men during the home defeat by Sunderland he made positive substitutions and the Mackems' Simon Mignolet was the busier keeper.
The Whites' summer signings Hugo Rodallega and Giorgos Karagounis, 35, have yet to stamp their authority and Jol also has a problem at the back. One of the foundations of the side he inherited was the solid, seasoned central defensive partnership of Aaron Hughes and captain Brede Hangeland.
Hangeland's suspension necessitates a change and Benítez must hope that Fernando Torres, who has not managed a shot on target in his last three outings, can regain the venom of early season.
Squad fitness news
Frank Lampard (calf), John Terry (knee) and Daniel Sturridge (hamstring remain out). Fulham's injury problems are three hamstrings - Alex Kacaniklic, Bryan Ruiz and Kieran Richardson - and Simon Davies (hip).
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