Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE: London rivals with European aspirations go head-to-head in huge Premier League clash

‘Derby a final’ – SilvaFulham boss Marco Silva has rebuilt his reputation and some since being dismissed by Everton in 2019. 

Silva struggled to gain trust amongst the Goodison quarters, with a drastic gap between expectation and reality causing tension in the boardrooms and the stands. 

However, the 47-year-old, who came across as understated in his prior management jobs, has rekindled the fire with Fulham and, importantly, within himself, that once made him so sought after. 

Speaking ahead of today’s game, Silva restated his commendable relationship with the club and the importance of this fixture: “It’s a final for us, too. We have our goals to fight for. Any game is going to be important because the season is coming to an end. A special derby for the fans being able to play at home. With our fans, quality, ambition, passion, it’ll be crucial to get a good result.”

“When I joined, the club was down. The fans were not happy, it was a process to create our own identity and philosophy. We have made the club grow. I created it with my staff, he added.

“The relationships with the staff, people at the top of the club are always there.”

Credit: GETTY

Team news recap Fulham’s only absentees are wingers Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson, who might return at the end of the month.

It’s a rejigged team for Chelsea following their midweek ventures in the Conference League – nine changes to be exact.

The Blues welcome Romeo Lavia back into the fold; Enzo Maresca stated in his most recent news conference that the Belgian has returned to full-team training.

Fulham vs Chelsea line-upsFulham XI: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Pereira, Sessegnon; Jimenez

Subs: Benda, Castagne, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, Wilson, Adama, Willian, Vinicius.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson. 

Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Badiashile, Achemampong, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, Geroge.

Head2HeadFulham came out on top at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, but they have never completed a league double against their wealthier rivals.

Aptly, Chelsea has won five of their last six league games at Craven Cottage.

Fulham 13-27-52 Chelsea

West London derby!Afternoon, and welcome to the SunSport’s comprehensive blog of Fulham vs. Chelsea live from SW6.

Regardless of how your Easter Sunday is going, we hope that a juicy West London derby on the banks of the River Thames can spice it up that bit more. 

It’s a fixture dripping in heavy incentive. 

For Champions League-chasing Chelsea, the onus is firmly on Enzo Maresca and his side to rise out of their second-half-of-the-season slump and finally add some substance to this BlueCo project. 

The Conference League, albeit a trophy with some prestigious gloss, won’t keep the noises of displeasure quiet. Securing a place back amongst Europe’s elite will. 

As for Fulham, continental football remains in sight – one point behind 8th place Bournemouth – but chances still remain firm on whether Marco Silva can solve the side’s consistent inconsistency.

Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss: so goes Fulham’s form in their past eight league games. 

2pm kick-off, team news and more to follow.