Enzo Maresca has reiterated his belief that Chelsea are not in the running to be crowned Premier League champions ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Fulham.
Chelsea were held to a goalless draw against Everton on Sunday, leaving them four points behind leaders Liverpool after an extra game.
However, the Blues are unbeaten in their last nine league matches and are above Arsenal and Manchester City, who have finished well outside the chasers in the past two seasons.
However, Maresca does not see his team as real title contenders and says: “For me it is about reality, not about pressure. I would like that kind of pressure.
“I say we are not there because that is the reality for me. The most important point is to keep improving and winning games.
“We are ahead of our expectations in terms of the way we play and the points. For us the main focus is to see how we can improve the players and how we can improve the team.”
“It's almost half way, so the table reflects the teams and where they are. Liverpool have been doing fantastic since day one. The team is already experiencing a moment like that, it's important. We're happy to be where we are at the moment are.”
“I think Manchester City will be there in the end. They are going through something that has probably never happened before. They have a new injury at the end of every game. It is a very bad situation.”
Fulham (H) pic.twitter.com/EHTcF1GRwr
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 24, 2024
Like their west London rivals, Fulham were held to a goalless draw last time out and failed to get past Southampton at Craven Cottage.
They are unbeaten in five games but have drawn four and boss Marco Silva expects another difficult assignment at Stamford Bridge.
“They are very, very good. That's very clear. A football club that spent money in such a short time, the quality was there,” Silva said of Chelsea.
“For young players it is not easy to find a club where so many young players are performing. They are very good and have a lot of confidence to play in that system.”
“They have been dominant in most of their games. It is another big challenge for us.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson
Jackson has a total of 15 goals (11) and assists (four) in his last 19 Premier League starts at Stamford Bridge.
The forward has also been involved in thirteen goals in his last twelve London derby appearances in the competition (11 goals, two assists).
Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe has scored (two goals) or assisted (one) in three of his four Premier League starts against Chelsea (all for Arsenal), with both goals coming against the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHELSEA WIN
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 19 home games against Fulham (W12 D7) since a 2-0 defeat in the second tier in October 1979.
Fulham, meanwhile, have won just two of their 34 Premier League games against Chelsea (D11 L21), with their 6% win rate against the Blues being the lowest any side has ever had in the competition's history (minimum 20 meetings).
However, Fulham are unbeaten in each of their last nine Premier League derby matches in London (W4 D5) since a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in January this year.
Backed by a sold out end.
Marco gives a taste of #CHEFUL.
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 24, 2024
The Cottagers last had a longer run without a league defeat against other London sides between February 1936 and October 1938 (12 games, all at the second level).
However, Chelsea's good recent form makes them clear favourites. The Blues are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games (W6 D3), the last time they had an extended spell without defeat in Thomas Tuchel's first ten in charge of the club between January and March 2021.
The Blues' only two defeats this season are against reigning champions Manchester City and current league leaders Liverpool.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Chelsea – 61.1%
Fulham – 19.2%
Draw – 19.6%
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