Interim Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has described the game against Fulham as ‘massive’ in terms of the race to finish in the top four and says the players should forget about the Europa League until after the weekend.
The Blues hope that they can bounce back from their 2-1 defeat against Manchester City yesterday by beating local rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night. We also have a big match against Liverpool to think about at the weekend.
“We have a massive game coming now this week.
“We have two games in the Premier League – the target for us – and then after we will start thinking about the Europa League.
“The main one is Fulham on Wednesday. We know it will be tough, difficult, but still we have confidence we can win.”
Finishing in the Champions League places has always been the priority for the club despite ambition to try to win every competition we enter and we still may win the Europa League, but it would amount to nothing if we forsake our league form.
We’re in a good position as we are just a point behind Arsenal in third and have a game in hand over the Gunners. A win against Fulham could also consolidate our position over fifth placed Tottenham, who have also played one more game than Chelsea and are on 58 points also.
Fulham won their last two London derbies against Spurs and QPR, they have also drawn their last five matches against Chelsea, so it may not be straightforward for Benitez’s side. We have also lost our last three away matches in the Premier League and will need to buck up our ideas if we want to get the necessary results at both Craven Cottage and Anfield.
What are your score predictions for Wednesday night’s game?
Fulham always bring their A Game for us which they do not do for other teams , I am actually starting to hate them they play United or City and roll over ,Its time we thrashed them .
They’ll play as if their lives depended on it, as they always do against us. Don’t want to see yet another bore draw against them, we must win.