In-form Fulham plot to deepen Chelsea’s winter turbulence at Craven Cottage | OneFootball

Chelsea head into a very different examination on Wednesday night when they travel across London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The draw at Manchester City was treated as a success given the circumstances, but this fixture brings a new set of expectations and pressures.

Chelsea rescued a point late on at the Etihad Stadium, a result shaped as much by resilience as by chaos surrounding the club off the pitch.

With manager Enzo Maresca having departed days earlier, a stoppage time equaliser felt like a collective release rather than a missed opportunity.

That context will not apply against Fulham, where Chelsea are expected to show control rather than survival instincts.

They arrive winless in four Premier League matches and still searching for stability during a turbulent period.

The uncertainty around the managerial situation continues to hover, even if performances have shown signs of cohesion rather than collapse.

Fulham will approach the game with confidence of their own after securing a dramatic late draw against Liverpool.

Like Chelsea, they equalised in the dying moments, turning what looked like defeat into a morale-boosting result.

That outcome extended their unbeaten league run to five matches and reinforced belief in their home form.

Fulham have scored in 11 of their 12 league games at Craven Cottage this season, underlining how difficult they can be to contain.

They sit close enough to Chelsea in the table to view this fixture as an opportunity rather than a free hit.

Marco Silva’s side will feel Chelsea can be tested given their recent form and the unsettled atmosphere surrounding them.

Fulham will not dominate possession in the same way as Man City, but they are disciplined and direct when chances appear.

That contrast makes this a different type of challenge for Chelsea, who must now dictate rather than absorb.

Recent head-to-head meetings favour Chelsea, who have won six of their last seven league visits to Craven Cottage.

History alone will not decide this contest, especially with Fulham playing with momentum and belief.

Chelsea’s away form remains a concern, with just one win in their last six matches on the road in all competitions.

Seeing the game out may prove as important as starting it well, particularly if nerves creep in during a tight contest.

Fulham will sense vulnerability and look to apply pressure late on, just as they did against Liverpool.

For Chelsea, the task is about staying steady and focused amid ongoing uncertainty.

How they respond will offer a clearer picture of whether their season can regain balance or drift further into instability.