Chelsea Faces Fulham in Crucial Premier League Clash

Chelsea face Fulham in a crucial west London derby, aiming to revive their Champions League qualification hopes after recent disappointing results, including a loss to Legia Warsaw in the Conference League and a slip to seventh in the Premier League standings. Manager Enzo Maresca has responded by making seven changes to the starting lineup, bringing back key players such as Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Trevoh Chalobah, and Levi Colwill, while Robert Sanchez returns in goal. Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson retain their attacking roles despite recent goal droughts, with Maresca emphasizing the need for improved form up front. Romeo Lavia is available on the bench after recovering from injury, but Mykhailo Mudryk remains sidelined. Fulham, who previously defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this season, aim to achieve a historic league double over their rivals, with Harry Wilson returning to their squad. Both teams view the match as pivotal for their European ambitions amid a tightly contested Premier League race.