Friday, 19 April 2013

Fulham v Chelsea: Rafael Benitez not 'wasting time' analysing statistics ahead ... - The Independent

Rafael Benitez normally likes statistics, but the Chelsea interim boss has had no time for numbers ahead of tonight's west London derby at Fulham where three Barclays Premier League points is all that matters.

Chelsea are bidding to consolidate their place in the top four and a Champions League qualifying spot by winning their game in-hand over Tottenham.

Benitez said: "I haven't wasted any second thinking about how many (points) we need. It's just the next three points.

But Benitez, who takes Chelsea to his former club Liverpool in another key game on Sunday, anticipates the race to the top four will continue until the final day of the campaign.

"The league will go until the end of the season. Hopefully I am wrong and we will be qualified before (then), but I think it will be until the end of the season."

Benitez added: "The head makes the difference. At the end of the season it's more important to be strong mentally and approach every game with the belief you can win."

Frank Lampard and captain John Terry are expected to return at Craven Cottage, having been unused substitutes in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City.

Midfielder Lampard could be in the final months of his Chelsea career, with his contract expiring and the prospects of an extension uncertain, and is three short of overtaking Bobby Tambling as the club's record goalscorer.

"I would like to see Frank breaking the record, for sure. (But) if I pick him it's because I think that he's a good player.

Fernando Torres is also anticipated to start tonight and a return to the bench at Anfield as Demba Ba is ineligible for next Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg with Basle in Switzerland.

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