Blues looking vulnerable
It is official – Chelsea are feeling the heat.
As the Barclays Premiership title race gets interesting, do not be surprised if they are made to sweat a little against arch-rivals Fulham tomorrow.
With Manchester United blazing a trail at the top of the table and playing some irresistible football, the Blues find themselves in an unfamiliar position as chasers.
The gap at the summit was extended to four points on St Stephen's Day as Jose Mourinho’s men slipped up with a 2-2 draw against Reading, while United romped 3-1 against Wigan.
The Londoners will be looking to get their challenge back on track when they welcome their neighbours to Stamford Bridge this weekend, but they may find it tough going again.
Fulham are on a little run after stringing together successive draws against West Ham and Charlton on the back of a 2-1 victory over Boro.
Chelsea, meanwhile, look to be in the middle of a Premiership dip after unconvincing late wins over Everton and Wigan as well as that draw against the Royals.
They have badly missed captain John Terry, and Mourinho may well have to go shopping in January to shore up his defence.
The England captain had surgery on his back yesterday – and with six goals conceded in their last three Premiership games, the Blues are beginning to look like a team who may find themselves on the wrong end of an upset.
Backing Fulham is always a gamble – because under Chris Coleman, they have been notoriously hard to predict. But bet365 are offering a very tasty 9-2 that the visitors will win either half.
For the long-odds punter, there is an even bolder 20-1 from the same firm - the rest of the market widely go 11-1 – that the Cottagers can snatch the win.
With a price like that – bearing in mind Fulham were similarly unfancied last season when they pulled off a shock 1-0 win over the champions – it may pay to get in early and take a chance.
Now that really would be the perfect way to end 2006.
Meanwhile, Newcastle travel to Everton tomorrow aiming to steer their recent renaissance back on track after losing at Bolton on Boxing Day.
The Geordies have lost only two of their last nine Premiership matches and have every reason to head to Goodison Park in confident mood.
Obafemi Martins is proving more than up to the task of filling Alan Shearer’s boots and has scored six goals in Newcastle’s last six Premiership games.
Back Glenn Roeder’s men to secure the points at tempting odds of 5-2 with Ladbrokes.
Elsewhere, Tottenham and Liverpool lock horns at White Hart Lane – where the smart money will be on the draw.
Spurs’ home record is superb; Liverpool’s away form has been largely hit and miss – so expect the honours to be shared in a hard-fought encounter.
