Source: SKY_Sports
Chelsea v Fulham preview
Local rivalries will be rekindled on Saturday when Chelsea play host to West London neighbours Fulham.[LNB] Blues boss Guus Hiddink may have publicly accepted defeat in the Premier League title race, but he will have his troops fired up for derby day.[LNB]The contest will also have plenty riding on it for the visitors, with Roy Hodgson looking to guide the Cottagers into Europe next season.[LNB]Chelsea will start the game as favourites, though, and enter the contest on the back of a morale-boosting 0-0 draw with Barcelona in midweek.[LNB]The UEFA Champions League stalemate saw the Blues claim a third consecutive clean sheet in all competitions, proving they are back to their resilient best.[LNB]They have also gone unbeaten through their last eight matches and appear to have found form at a crucial stage of the season.[LNB]Fulham, though, have only suffered one defeat in six outings and they will make the short journey down the Kings Road full of confidence.[LNB]The Cottagers have not tasted success at Stamford Bridge since October 1979, but will fancy their chances of putting 30 years of pain behind them this weekend.[LNB]They have taken credible draws from their last two visits to their rivals' home patch, but will be keen to go one better this time around.[LNB]Fulham remain on course to claim their best ever finish in the Premier League and should they hang onto their seventh-placed standing they will expect to be part of next season's inaugural Europa League.[LNB]Cole returnChelsea came through their European endeavours in midweek unscathed and Hiddink has no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with.[LNB]Portuguese trio Deco (hamstring), Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring) and Paulo Ferreira (knee) remain long-term absentees, while Joe Cole's knee problem will keep him out until next term.[LNB]Ashley Cole missed out against Barcelona on Tuesday through suspension but is expected to replace Jose Bosingwa at left-back, with the Portugal international likely to be returned to his usual role on the right.[LNB]Salomon Kalou and Nicolas Anelka will also be pushing for recalls after being benched at Camp Nou.[LNB]No worriesFulham have a full-strength squad from which to choose as they prepare for the crunch clash.[LNB]Hodgson could therefore decide to stick with the same XI that secured a 1-0 win over Stoke last week.[LNB]The only possible change could see Bobby Zamora, who lasted only 20 minutes against the Potters after tweaking a back problem, make way for Erik Nevland.[LNB]Possible starting XIsChelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Cole, Kalou, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, Drogba.[LNB]Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Nevland.[LNB]
