Chelsea must do something they haven't yet in next…

Chelsea must do something they haven't yet in next four fixtures in Liverpool and Man Utd battle

Graham Potter might want the World Cup back, at least Chelsea didn't drop any points. It was six weeks of blaming Harry Kane, picking on Gareth Southgate and ignoring the Premier League table. Now the domestic action is back and in a whirlwind things have gone from bad to worse.

The Blues have dropped to 10th in the league, they're 16th for form over the last six matches and have one win in eight during that time. The unfortunate drawing of Manchester City in both cups hasn't helped stem the tide either, adding another two losses to the copybook in an unrelenting schedule.

Since returning from Qatar Chelsea have scored in two halves out of eight played and only once without Reece James on the field. They have scored three but conceded six in four matches and haven't shown signs of much improvement. Although there have been more minutes for young players seen as the future it hasn't been enough to stop the overwhelming dark clouds from circling Stamford Bridge.

Potter's next run of games offers a brief chance to quieten the doubters for a period but after hearing chants for Thomas Tuchel and Roman Abramovich he is fighting a losing cultural battle with the supporters. This is what is coming up on the calendar.

Fulham (A) - January 12

After 17 games Chelsea's newly promoted neighbours are ahead of them in the league. Fulham sit seventh having played a game extra and offer the chance for Chelsea to do something they are yet to this season, beat a top-10 team.

Marco Silva's men have scored 10 more goals than the Blues but have also conceded eight more too and will be without talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic. In a short trip Chelsea must start to pick up the points somewhere and this would be a good start for Potter and his men.

Crystal Palace (H) - January 15

Another London derby follows for Chelsea with a home match against Patrick Viera's Crystal Palace side. They've had an up-and-down season so far but are only three points behind the Blues in 12th. A leaky defence has let them down so far and a lack of a goalscoring striker hasn't helped either.

Palace have a poor recent record against Chelsea too but nothing is being taken for granted at SW6 this season. With tougher tests and the return of European football around the corner after this match, it will be important to pick up points here.

Liverpool (A) - January 21

Another perennial struggler for the season, Liverpool have been a disappointment too. The Reds are three points above Chelsea in sixth but have already lost five times this season, most recently in a defeat to Brentford. In a run of games that may favour Potter and Chelsea this will be a sturn test in a battle of two out-of-form sides.

Fulham (H) - February 3

Rounding this run of games off is yet another London derby. In a repeat of their next game Chelsea play Fulham in the rearranged fixture from the postponed match due to be play over the weekend of Queen Elizabeth II's death.

Manchester United's next four fixtures:

Man City (H) - January 14

Crystal Palace (H) - January 18

Arsenal (A) - January 22

Crystal Palace (H) - February 4

Tottenham's next four fixtures:

Arsenal (H) - January 15

Man City (A) - January 19

Fulham (A) - January 23

Man City (H) - February 5

Liverpool's next four fixtures:

Brighton (A) - January 14