Chelsea FC vs. Fulham: Predicting Andre Villas-Boas' Boxing Day Starting 11

In the face of adversity, John Terry's goal-line clearance in stoppage time not only denied Tottenham Hotspur victory but saved André Villas-Boas from managing his team to another loss against quality opposition. 

Remember that Villas-Boas has managed Chelsea to losses against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. 

The 2-1 win against Manchester City under dubious circumstances was the only exception. 

Here is my prediction of Andre Villas-Boas' Boxing Day Starting 11 against Fulham.

Chelsea Team News

Player	Reason Out	Expected Return Date
Branislav Ivanović	Hamstring	14/1/2012 (Sunderland)
John Obi Mikel	Hamstring	14/1/2012 (Sunderland)
Michael Essien	Knee	21/1/2012 (Norwich City)
Ramires	Suspension	31/12/2011 (Aston Villa)

• David Luiz is doubtful with a knee injury, but André Villas-Boas expects Luiz to start. 

• If Luiz doesn't start, then José Bosingwa will start at centre-back, with Paulo Ferreira starting at right-back. 

• Why not start Alex? Villas-Boas has frozen the Brazilian out to the extent that he isn't even in the squad. 

• If you forgot, Alex handed in a transfer request and has been dreaming of a move to Juventus since the summer. 

Goalkeeper: Petr Čech

Petr Čech hasn't conceded a Premier League goal against Fulham since December 2009. 

That day, Zoltán Gera scored after just four minutes, but he won't be there tomorrow because he's no longer a Fulham player. 

In 13 Premier League games against Fulham, Čech has conceded seven goals. 

Čech's most recent game against Fulham was a frightening one.

He sustained a head injury during the Carling Cup game in September. 

Right-Back: José Bosingwa

If José Bosingwa stayed at right-back, Chlesea would have lost the game because Gareth Bale would have humiliated the Portuguese defender like he did Maicon. 

The surprise for me was Paulo Ferreira holding his own against Bale, and remember that Ferreira has spent more time warming the benches than actually playing.

The other surprise was Emmanuel Adebayor not exposing Bosingwa at centre-back more often. 

Centre-Back: John Terry

There's no way I'm defending John Terry because I can read lips, and as millions around the world will likely agree, what he said was abhorrent. 

Now, Terry is claiming the context excuse, which is always used when someone is caught saying something that could tarnish their reputation. 

This is completely different from the Luis Suárez incident, in which there was no damming evidence to suggest the Uruguayan racially vilified Patrice Evra.

I see Suárez as a scapegoat, and if he received eight games when no one can definitively prove what he said, spare a thought for Terry. 

Surely he'll be banned for a minimum of eight games, but since millions saw what he said, I'm guessing somewhere in the vicinity of 12-16 games. 

It's a testament to Terry's mental toughness that he's playing inspired football for Chelsea. 

Centre-Back: David Luiz

Fulham might just be David Luiz's favourite team to play against. 

In his two games against Fulham Luiz has been solid, and unsurprisingly Chelsea have not conceded. 

He scored a penalty in the 4-3 penalty shootout win over Fulham in the Carling Cup. 

Left-Back: Ashley Cole

If Stephen Kelly does play at right-back he should expect Ashley Cole to be bombarding down his flank, whereas Cole has the right to not expect Kelly to reciprocate. 

Against Manchester United, Kelly adopted a safety-first approach, so much so that only one pass could be counted as an incisive pass.  

Defensive Midfielder: Oriol Romeu

When André Villas-Boas claimed Barcelona didn't actually have a buy-back clause, I thought, "Excellent, Oriol Romeu will not be tempted back."

Then, Pep Guardiola stepped in and said Villas-Boas was uninformed, essentially saying the Portuguese manager didn't read the contract because Barcelona can buy him back. 

This leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because Chelsea is just a train-on club for Romeu.

Centre Midfielder: Raul Meireles

With Ramires suspended, Raul Meireles will need to step up and fill the void left by the Brazilian, a defensive workload which consists of least five successful tackles and several interceptions. 

Can Meireles fill the void? 

I'm skeptical because his tackling is hit-and-miss. 

Centre Midfielder: Frank Lampard

Clearly Frank Lampard thrives on playing football on Boxing Day because he's scored five goals on this day. 

However, Lampard hasn't score in his last five starts for Chelsea. 

Right Forward: Daniel Sturridge

People underscore how Daniel Sturridge has adapted to playing out wide yet still producing the goods.

Whilst Fernando Torres complains about how slow the team moves, Sturridge quietly reminds André Villas-Boas of his goal-scoring potential. 

The only criticism of Sturridge is his selfishness out wide, which makes the front three unworkable.

You have Juan Mata drifting about, Sturridge with his shoot-happy style and the centre-forward, whether it be Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres, isolated. 

Centre Forward: Didier Drogba

With the exception of the Valencia game, Didier Drogba has not been the same forward Chelsea have come to expect. 

Where's the pace to beat defenders? Where's the strength to bully defenders?

His future is uncertain, and I predict he will leave. 

So it would be better to start Fernando, Torres whom Chelsea are stuck with. 

Left Forward: Juan Mata

Chelsea need to build their team around Juan Mata. He has been sensational in breathing life into a dull team. 

Four goals and nine assists in 20 games, and it's clear he wants to play in the centre. 

It makes less sense for him to play out wide then to drift centrally or switch flanks because the opposing full-back has free reign, and where's the wide play? 

What's the point in having wide forwards?

Why not play a narrow shape, then? 

It confuses me to no end, because surely André Villas-Boas notices the tactical disadvantage when Mata is in the centre and the opposing full-back charges down the flank uncontested. 

Your Opinion

Do you prefer Chelsea playing a half-fit David Luiz or José Bosingwa at centre-back?

Will Chelsea beat Fulham?

Also, please comment below with your predicted lineup.

Please read Top 20 South American Footballers of 2011.