Chelsea has reached the season's most critical point.
At least that is was star player Juan Mata stated recently. "We have seven games to go in the Premier League and have to win as many as we can to play Champions League football next season," he said. "It means we need three points at Fulham, and we'll try to get them.
Chelsea takes on Fulham on Wednesday at 3 PM EST and is currently two points behind Arsenal for third place; a third place finish would guarantee the Blues a berth in next year's UCL. Four days after the Fulham match the team takes on Liverpool on the 21st.
"It's been a little time since we played two Premier League games together but we now have the opportunity to get six points," added Mata. "It will be difficult against Fulham and at Liverpool as well, but we will try to finish the week with 64 points and in a strong position in the league."
Chelsea is currently tied with Tottenham Hotspur for fourth and only sits two points ahead of sixth place team Everton. A fourth place finish would require them to enter the playoffs to earn a Champions league spot and fifth would push them through to the Europa League.
Fulham sits with 40 points and is no longer in contention for any major spot.
These teams battled to a scoreless draw on Nov. 28; Chelsea was in the midst of a seven-game winless streak.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 1-0.
Start Time: 3 PM
TV: Fox Soccer Channel