19.09.2013 After a tough loss against FC Basel in the Champions League, Chelsea FC has to face their first London derby of the season. Chelsea will face rival Fulham at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21st at 5:30pm followed by the match against Swindon in the Capital One Cup.
First up is a match against local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. After suffering an unlucky defeat at Everton in the last Premier League game, Eden Hazard has already spoken of the players’ desire to bounce straight back. With no less than three former Blues in their first-team squad – Damien Duff, Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell – the Whites will provide familiar opposition on Saturday. Last season, Fulham failed to score a single goal against Chelsea, with a 0-0 draw at the Bridge followed by a 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage. The west London neighbours only win coming this season came on the opening day at Sunderland, although there were plenty of positive signs in Saturday’s draw against West Brom.
Swindon are less familiar opponents. The third round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday evening will be the first Chelsea trip to the County Ground for nearly 20 years. The last encounter with the Robins came in the 1993/94 Premier League season, when we recorded two victories, 3-1 away and then 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Now in League One, Swindon have been in impressive form. As well as knocking out Championship side QPR in the last round, they are undefeated at the County Ground this season, beating Crewe 5-0 in their last home game.
