Chelsea to keep sinking into midtable quicksand
In a hastily rescheduled fixture because of the ever-present knock-on effects of the pandemic, Fulham will play hosts to London rivals Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Saturday in the Premier League instead the original date of Friday. The white and black outfit admirably came back from a goal down to stifle top four pretenders Tottenham Hotspur earlier in midweek, and whilst faltering Frank Lampard's chargers will be fresher (and many of his preferred XI didn't feature in the stroll over Morecambe in the FA Cup last time out), another bruising encounter is on the cards. Scott Parker has now made the relegation candidates tough to beat, and that spells trouble for the Pensioners. Read our preview here:
Tosin out the trash
The difference between the lineup on opening day to the probable one at the weekend couldn't be greater, and it is thanks to the subsequent changes Parker made to his side that they now have more than a fighting chance of escaping the bottom one, where at one stage, they looked as bereft of ideas and cut adrift in much the same manner as Sheffield United. The former Blues midfielder is turning into a tactically savvy coach, and has had to come through a lot in his close to two years in charge, suffering relegation as a caretaker before being appointed on a permanent basis in the summer of 2019. A play-off triumph over Brentford couldn't mask that sweeping changes were needed to decrease the likelihood of being booted back down. One of the players he's come to rely on is Tosin Adarabioyo, who operates as the left-sided centre back of a defensive three at present. The 23 year old was acquired from Manchester City back in October, and immediately helped to shore up a frequently breached backline. His passing and interceptions are two feathers in his bow, and help progress the ball up his flank to the waiting wing-back, Antonee Robinson. Cameroon international André-Frank Zambo Anguissa has arguably been Fulham's best performer overall in central midfield, anchoring the five-strong bank whilst gliding through the second phase on the dribble. There's a great balance to the side overall, and the glitzier names opposing them will be need to be very wary indeed.
Free Mason
Doubtlessly, Mason Mount has been a mainstay throughout Lampard's reign (and at Derby County under him, too), and has largely repaid that faith with regularly good to excellent displays. That said, in a squad that has been rotated for form and fitness reasons, that reliance has overstepped what's reasonable on occasion, and there was very little need to start him against Morecambe. He could do with a rest, but is unlikely to receive one, especially now that results in the league are swinging away from them. Reece James and Andreas Christensen are distinct doubts, whilst N'Golo Kanté is suspended. The latter's absence could hand a rare start to Billy Gilmour, with Hakim Ziyech pushed forward to become one of the front three. Callum Hudson-Odoi is one individual whose form is not wavering, and he ought to get the better of opposite number Ola Aina with his trickery and craft.
Great(ly) improving Scott!
As already mentioned, Parker is pitting his wits once more against his former club on more of an even keel, quietly growing in confidence in both his own and his team's credentials. Admittedly, Chelsea are still more than capable of turning on the style with the talent at their disposal, but that has been increasingly absent in recent weeks. 888sport are offering odds for both teams to score at 1.83, which is a far more certain bet than a definitive result.
