With the Boat Race having passed close by earlier this holiday weekend, Fulham now host an 11-man crew of Blues from up the road. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton are under starter's orders. Saturday's spirited win against Wigan may have lacked intensity and pace, as manager Robbie Di Matteo observed, but that is often the case after a midweek in Europe. It is all about obtaining the three points and the mission was accomplished with Juan Mata's 11th goal of the season, his first in the league for two months.

Chelsea have weathered the demands of the Champions League very well so far, winning eight of the ten domestic fixtures which have followed. The remaining two were the losses at Old Trafford and Loftus Road.

Fulham are playing their 50th game of the season, which kicked off on 30 June with their Europa League qualifiers.

What may concern the manager is the persistent habit of conceding goals in the 80th minute or later. Wigan's was the 19th in all competitions this season.

Thankfully the Blues have developed a similar habit that has helped resolve several difficult moments. Mata's winner was the fifth scored by Chelsea in the closing 15 minutes of normal time in the last four matches.

The weekend success means Chelsea have earned more Premier League points per game against the Latics than any other team. The next highest yield is against today's hosts, Fulham.

Branislav Ivanovic appears to have taken over the instinct. Four Chelsea defenders - Ivanovic, John Terry, David Luiz and Gary Cahill - have now weighed in with 15 goals between them this season - a vital contribution.

Di Matteo has quickly reached double figures in games at Stamford Bridge helm. The first ten have produced a remarkable parallel with those of Guus Hiddink, another temporary appointment, in 2009.

Four seasons ago Hiddink opened his account with an identical eight wins, one draw (to Juventus) and one loss (Spurs). The Dutchman went on to secure a semi-final meeting with Barcelona and won the FA Cup by beating Everton. Can our Italian boss go one better?

This is the third time we have faced Fulham this season. Other than the 1-1 draw on Boxing Day, we had an eventful meeting in the League Cup. The game finished 0-0 despite Alex being sent off for Chelsea for bringing down Karim Frei after 48 minutes. Teenager Pajtim Kasami missed the resulting penalty and Chelsea looked more likely to score as time progressed, with hard-working lone striker Romelu Lukaku's header cleared off the line by Zdenek Grygera.

The tie was eventually decided on penalties. Frank Lampard's effort was saved but David Luiz, John Terry, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda scored. Ross Turnbull saved from Fulham's Dembélé and Bryan Ruiz hit the bar to lose the shootout 4-3.

Earlier today Newcastle entertain Bolton, who have left with a point or more on three of their last four visits to Tyneside. Spurs are back within striking distance should Chelsea maintain the present four-game winning streak. They host a Norwich team who never give up but have been edged out in their last three away matches. On Wednesday Arsenal play at Molineux against a Wolves side who drew 1-1 at Emirates over the festive period.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com