The first of four London derbies in March is the most local of them all. It is leaders versus bottom-feeders on Saturday, the biggest disparity between west London's biggest clubs since 29 October 1966, when Fulham lay 19th and Chelsea were First Division leaders. The Whites have conceded more than two Premier League goals a game on average at Craven Cottage this season. However Chelsea have not won away since the memorable Manchester City league game on 3 February.

Felix Magath is the third manager in three months appointed by the new man at Fulham's helm, US businessman Shahid Khan, who asked departing owner Mohamed Al Fayed to take his incongruous Michael Jackson statue with him.

Magath is attempting to build his own monument at the Cottage, to hard work. His old school army drilling and mind games might seem a little off the wall but he won't stop 'til he gets enough from his squad.

The 60-year-old Bavarian saved a Frankfurt side in a more perilous position: 17 games to go, eight points from safety, they stayed up by two points with the third-best record in the Bundesliga over that period.

On arrival at the Cottage Magath targeted six victories from remaining fixtures at West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Spurs and Stoke plus home games against Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace.

However, he was instantly introduced to the Whites' damaging habit of conceding late goals. The Throstles netted a late equaliser at the Hawthorns in what was 'The Torturer's' first game in charge. 'We have to play to win, not for the fans,' Magath admitted. So the Whites' run-in might not be such a thriller.

There is also the outside possibility of the Cottagers suffering a curse similar to that inflicted on Chelsea in 1973 when the old 'Gatling Gun George' Hilsdon weathervane was removed as part of the East Stand redevelopment. The Blues suffered a decade-and-a-half of financial difficulties and relegation until a replica was put up.

The Jacko tribute was removed on 25 September last year, four days after Fulham were vanquished 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Ominously, they have lost 15 of 22 league games since the statue beat it.

Chelsea were the only English club to take anything from a Champions League match this week. After an early goal from Fernando Torres the Turks gained momentum and levelled the score, in similar fashion to West Bromwich Albion a few weeks ago.

That begs the question, does the team with the best attack or best defence generally prevail in the Premier League?

Chelsea have conceded just two league goals since the turn of the year and the fewest this season: 21. Man City and Arsenal have both let in 27, and Liverpool actually have the 10th best with 35. City have by far the best goal difference with 42, then Liverpool 35, Chelsea 28 and Arsenal 25.

Over the last five seasons goal difference has been a much more reliable trait of title winners - four of the five champions had the best ratio, including Chelsea with a mind-blowing 71 in 2010

The best rearguard has twice been crown champions in that period: Man City with 29 in 2012 and Man United in 2009 (level with Chelsea on 24 conceded). The 15 league goals opposition sides managed to put past Blues goalkeepers in 2004/05 gets better with the passage of time.

After this weekend there are midweek internationals and Chelsea's squad will be globetrotting as usual. England entertain Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday, the Czechs are at home, Egypt visit Bosnia and Serbia travel to Ireland. Our Brazilian contingent have a longer haul to South Africa. All that ahead of the Saturday evening visit of Tim Sherwood's Tottenham.

The importance of gaining three points this Saturday and next, when Spurs are the visitors, is magnified by Manchester City not having a league match either weekend. City face Sunderland in the League Cup final on Sunday and a week later play an FA Cup quarter-final against Wigan.

The Mancunians' involvement in both domestic cups could mean they are nine points behind the Blues by the time they visit Steve Bruce's Hull City at 12.45 on 15 March.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com