Chelsea vs Fulham

(Carling Cup - Third Round)

Date: Wednesday, 21st Sept 11; Kick-Off: 19:45 BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Fulham - Catch all the latest team news, match preview, pre-match analysis, interviews, followed by LIVE match and a lot more right here at Chelsea FC News.

Chelsea vs Fulham (THE DERBY GAME): Carling Cup third round action sees Chelsea play Fulham at Stamford Bridge, one of the four matches which sees Premier League clubs battling each other to qualify for the the fourth round of Carling Cup (others being Stoke vs Tottenham, Everton vs West Brom and Aston Villa vs Bolton).

Chelsea lost 3-1 against Manchester United but the scoreline doesn't suggest the fact that Chelsea played one of the best games they have played so far, away from home that also at Old Trafford. All Chelsea fans know how well the team played, the spirit and the bold approach of Andre Villas Boas. Let the media and rival fans criticize Chelsea and Fernando Torres for the loss, the reason they are doing is to overshadow how well Chelsea played as a team against Man U.

I can bet that each and every Chelsea fan would have felt optimistic about Chelsea and its players even after losing to Man U at Old Trafford, such was the high level of commitment and skill which Chelsea showed. Something that was lacking for a few years. A game which had everything from a couple of offside goals to glaring misses to some exceptional movement from both teams and a couple of wonderful skillful strikes.

Fulham under Martin Jol also had one of their best games so far, coming from 2-0 down against the mighty Manchester City side to secure a point. Fulham are a good side and also our derby rivals so even Martin Jol wouldn't want to lose this game.

Chelsea Team News

Dider Drogba returns to the Chelsea line-up after missing out on more than three weeks of football due to the concussion he suffered against Norwich.

Youngsters in the name of Josh McEachran, Ryan Bertrand, Romelu Lukaku and Oriol Romeu will certainly start the game at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham Team News

Fulham are without injured defender Aaron Hughes, who is nursing a hamstring problem.

Andrew Johnson is carrying a knock and Bobby Zamora may be rested. Deadline-day signing Bryan Ruiz is likely to feature for the Cottagers.

Martin Jol will also be looking to make some changes in his squad as his team is involved in Europa competition as well.

Probable Team Line-ups:

Chelsea: Turnball, Ferriera, Luiz, Alex, Bertrand, Josh, Romeu, Lampard, Malouda, Didier Drogba, Lukaku

Fulham: Somogyi, Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, Briggs, Sidwell, Gecov, Duff, Sidwell, Bryan Ruiz, Sa

KEY STAT
The Blues are looking for our 50th home win in the League Cup in our 79th match at Stamford Bridge in the competition.

Previous Cup meeting between Chelsea and Fulham

Chelsea vs Fulham History

Chelsea v Fulham in all competitions
Games played 73
Chelsea wins 42
Fulham wins 9
Draws 22

Biggest win at Stamford Bridge for each team
Chelsea 4-0 Fulham - 26/09/1925 and 07/04/1984 (both Division 2)
Chelsea 0-2 Fulham - 27/10/1979 (Division 2)

Chelsea Stats

Chelsea in the League Cup
Winners: 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007
Runners-up: 1972, 2008
Semi-finalists: 1973, 1985, 1991, 2002

Last 10 seasons in the League Cup
2001/02 - Semi-final
2002/03 - Quarter-final
2003/04 - Quarter-final
2004/05 - Winners
2005/06 - 3rd round
2006/07 - Winners
2007/08 - Runners-up
2008/09 - 4th round
2009/10 - Quarter-final
2010/11 - 3rd round

Fulham Stats

Fulham in the League Cup
Winners: None
Runners-up: None
Semi-finalists: None
Quarter-finalists: 1967/68, 1970/71, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2004/05

Last 10 seasons in the League Cup
2001/02 - 4th round
2002/03 - 4th round
2003/04 - 2nd round
2004/05 - Quarter-final
2005/06 - 3rd round
2006/07 - 2nd round
2007/08 - 3rd round
2008/09 - 3rd round
2009/10 - 3rd round
2010/11 - 3rd round

Chelsea vs Fulham - Carling Cup 3rd Round - Video Preview

From this game onwards I would put forward my thoughts of what the starting line-up should be as per my views (before any updates from the man Andre Villas Boas himself) and would expect fans around the world to express the same, as to who would you put out if you were in the shoes of Andre Villas Boas.

Being In Andre Villas Boas' Shoes -

What would my team line up be if I was to put myself in place of Andre Villas Boas? I will have to answer a couple of question before I decide on my team.

First question: Is Carling Cup important as compared to the other competitions Chelsea is involved in? The answer is not so.

Second Question: Do I need to make wholesale changes to the squad like playing an entirely new starting XI (considering the fact that its a good Premier league opposition and not a division one or two opponent)? Again the answer would be NO.

Squad rotation will be there with certain players being rested, all this is important as players need to remain fit in this gruesome schedule of football. But most important thing is winning the game, so put out a squad that will make sure that happens.

Based on the points mentioned above, the starting line up I will go with would be

Chelsea: Hilario; Luiz, Alex, Terry, Bertrand; Mikel, Lampard, Romeu, Josh; Nando, Lukaku

(substitutes - Anelka, Malouda, Kalou, Paulo, Sturridge on the bench)

Inclusion of Lampard is for the sole reason that this guy needs matches under his belt, he is not in good form but he is an important integral part of the Chelsea squad. Nando purely for the current form he is in, he is getting close to his best and his rhythm should not be broken just because its a Carling Cup tie.

Luiz, Alex and Terry form a good defensive lineup. Lukaku, if he is going to be brought on as a substitute late on to change the game then he needs some good game time and this is a perfect opportunity for this young forward, same goes for players like Bertrand and Josh.

So put on your thinking caps and tell us WHAT WOULD YOUR STARTING LINEUP BE IF YOU WERE IN ANDRE VILLAS BOAS SHOES ?

If your team line up matches with that of Andre Villas Boas and then you will see yourself featured exclusively on the Chelsea FC News Facebook Fan Page. So go on and predict your line up here or on our Facebook fan page.

Chelsea-Fulham derby game has always been a tough game irrespective of what the competition is and where it is played, so expecting this one to be a great game of football.

Official team news, pre match analysis followed my LIVE STREAMING to follow soon

So get ready for some pulsating action at Stamford Bridge. Come on CHELSEA!!! KTBFFH.

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