Premier League preview: Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea will be keen for maximum points after successive English Premier League draws when they entertain Fulham on Monday.

The Blues sit fourth after 1-1 stalemates against Wigan and Tottenham, but will fancy their chances of returning to the winners’ list against the struggling Fulham.

Chelsea’s failure to win against Spurs means they are now 11 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City, but manager Andre Villas-Boas insists their title chances are still alive.

“I think we can still win it,” Villas-Boas said.

“We came to Tottenham, a side who are title challengers, so it’s a good point to get.”

“We’ve been in worse situations before and recovered to seven points. I’m sure we can shorten the distance.”

Their chase of City can start at Stamford Bridge on Monday and Chelsea will feel confident given their recent record against Fulham.

In their 20 meetings in the Premier League, Chelsea have won 12 and drawn seven – with Fulham’s sole win coming in March 2006.

Brazilian defender David Luiz could return from injury for the match but Chelsea will be without Michael Essien, while John Obi Mikel and Branislav Ivanovic are unlikely to feature after they limped off against Spurs with injury problems.

Martin Jol’s Fulham – who are 13th – were thumped 5-0 by Manchester United on Wednesday and have won just two of their past nine matches in all competitions.

Now they have departed the Europa League, Fulham can put their entire focus into their league endeavours, where they sit just four points above the relegation zone.

Jol’s side have won just three Premier League matches on the road in 2011 and they are not likely to add to that against a Chelsea outfit which needs a win to stay in touch with the top two.