Fresh off the back of a positive result in Madrid, Chelsea take on Fulham in a local derby this weekend hoping to take another step towards securing a top-four Premier League finish.

Thomas Tuchel’s side will undoubtedly have one eye on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid on Wednesday and could rotate heavily but even still, they’ll be strong favourites against their west London rivals.

Scott Parker’s Cottagers were denied all three points against Arsenal during their last Premier League fixture, and with just five games remaining they find themselves seven points adrift of safety.

Both sides are looking for all three points for very different reasons and when the pair met earlier in the season, the Blues won 1-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to Mason Mount’s late goal.

Here is 90min’s preview of the game.

When time is kick-off? Saturday 1 May – 17:30 (BST)
Where is the game being played? Stamford Bridge
How to watch on TV in UK and US? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee: Kevin Friend
VAR: Darren England

The Blues are hoping Mateo Kovacic will return from his thigh injury to feature at the weekend, even if it is just as a substitute.

Other than questions over the Croatian’s fitness, Thomas Tuchel has no other fitness concerns and has a fully fit squad to select from.

Kenny Tete is a doubt for Fulham after battling Covid-19 in recent weeks, while Terence Kongolo, Marek Rodak and Tom Cairney remain long term absentees.

Scorr Parker will also be without loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Chelsea: Mendy; Zouma, Rudiger, Christensen; James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Ziyech, Mount; Havertz

Fulham: Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson; Decordova-Reid, Lemina, Anguissa, Lookman; Maja, Mitrovic

These two sides are separated by a huge 31 points in the Premier League table and although Fulham will be desperate to give themselves a hope of escaping the dreaded drop, it’s difficult to see past a comfortable Chelsea victory.

Defensively, in comparison to some of their fellow strugglers, Fulham have done pretty well. The issue has been at the other end of the pitch – where they’ve found goals hard to come by – and they’re in for a real battle on Saturday against a Chelsea side who have conceded just eight goals under Tuchel since he took the reins in January.

The gulf in class between the two sides should see the Blues ease to a comprehensive win, despite rivalry often throwing a spanner in the form book works.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Fulham