Enzo Maresca may have an almost fully fit squad at his disposal as Chelsea travel to West London derby rivals Fulham on Sunday, but that does not mean he is without selection headaches to navigate in this Premier League game.
The Blues boss will know that despite qualification to the Conference League semifinals, they must improve after suffering a second leg defeat to lowly Legia Warsaw at home on Thursday, leaving them with just one win from their last four games across all competitions.
Maresca has some players struggling for form and fitness he must choose from, while a headache of the opposite variety remains a problem on the right wing. Jadon Sancho has grown into his role at Chelsea since joining in January, but the return of injured Noni Madueke will mean Maresca has an important decision to make.
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A look at the Premier League table confirms there are European implications at stake for both clubs in this match. Chelsea are well in the mix for Champions League qualification next season, but come into the weekend barely on the outside, sitting a point back of fifth-placed Man City who occupy the final spot.
Fulham are chasing a European place as well, but they have ground to make up as they sit in ninth, level on points with Bournemouth just above them but six points back of Aston Villa in seventh.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
Fulham vs. Chelsea lineups
Fulham are at near-full squad fitness, with just two confirmed absentees, both out wide. Wingers Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson are sidelined with significant injuries, as Wilson needs a bit longer to recover from a foot issue and Nelson likely done for most if not all of the season with a hamstring tear.
Otherwise, Marco Silva has his full squad to pick from, although Antonee Robinson has been playing through a tendonitis issue which caused him to miss the March international window and requires regular pain management. Silva has been rotating both Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz at the striker position, while Ryan Sessegnon has earned increased time on the wing recently in a platoon with Adama Traore.
Record summer signing Emile Smith Rowe has had a disappointing first season at Craven Cottage, and at this point is only a substitute option instead of a regular starter, which is unfortunate for a player who cost a whopping £27 million ($35.8m).
Fulham predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Leno (GK) — Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, A. Robinson — Berge, Lukic — Traore, Pereira, Iwobi — Jimenez.
Injured: Wilson (foot), Nelson (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
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Chelsea are largely healthy, with only Marc Guiu and Wesley Fofana still on the shelf due to injuries, but there are still selection headaches for Enzo Maresca to work through.
The most notable issue is on the wing, for varying reasons. Out left, Christopher Nkunku has repeatedly flopped with his chances to impress, including midweek against Legia Warsaw, so Pedro Neto could be recalled. On the right, Jadon Sancho has improved but Noni Madueke is now fit and could reclaim his spot, while both could be deployed if Sancho can flip over to the left.
Marc Cucurella started midweek in Europe, so Malo Gusto could be recalled if he’s in need of rest, while Levi Colwill has been preferred to Benoit Badiashile in Premier League play in the middle. Enzo Fernandez is likely to return to a starting spot in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, with both given the midweek Conference League game off.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Gusto — E. Fernandez, Caicedo — Madueke, Palmer, Sancho — Jackson.
Injured: Guiu (hamstring), Fofana (muscle).
Suspended: None.
Fulham vs. Chelsea live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sun, Apr. 20 | 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT | USA Network, Telemundo | Fubo, NBC Sports App |
| Canada | Sun, Apr. 20 | 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT | — | Fubo Canada |
| UK | Sun, Apr. 20 | 2 p.m. BST | — | — |
| Australia | Mon, Apr. 21 | 1 a.m. AEST | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Sun, Apr. 20 | 6:30 p.m. IST | — | JioCinema |
