Chelsea next four fixtures compared to Liverpool and…

Chelsea next four fixtures compared to Liverpool and Tottenham as Potter gets top four advantage

Chelsea's hectic winter run is effectively over after grinding out an attritional 0-0 draw at Anfield on Saturday. Graham Potter's men were arguably the better of the two sides but still failed to score despite Liverpool's own struggles across the pitch. One point gained in the end, but with the tinge of frustration after a victory was in reach.

That said, Potter has now gotten through the toughest patch of the season and is afforded more time on the training field in the coming weeks due to early cup exits. That will be a huge boost for the manager after coming under increasing scrutiny over the past month.

Chelsea's run since the World Cup hasn't provided much of an upturn in results from the pre-Qatar period but they now have the promise of returning stars from injury as well as some respite in fixtures too. It may well be exactly what is needed for a squad and a club in transition.

Here, football.london takes a look at the upcoming matches and what will be on the cards for Potter and his top four chasing rivals.

Fulham (H) - February 3

Chelsea have a break before their next game owing to their FA Cup failure, though it may well be a blessing in disguise. The Blues' last two performances have certainly been an upturn from their previous run and that came with a longer period to prepare.

Unlike Fulham, who beat them at Craven Cottage two weeks ago on one of the darkest days of Potter's tenure so far, Chelsea have no fixture next week and will go into this game fresh. Fulham do play in the cup and will welcome Sunderland on Saturday. This offers a chance for revenge.

West Ham (A) - February 11

It's another London derby for Chelsea, their third in four fixtures, as they travel to struggling West Ham. The Hammers got a vital victory over Everton on Saturday but are still languishing just three points off the bottom of the league.

David Moyes' side have proven to be tough opponents for Chelsea to beat in recent years though and were unfortunate not to get more from their trip to Stamford Bridge earlier this season. Chelsea have only won three of their last eight away matches against West Ham, losing five.

Borussia Dortmund (A), Champions League - February 15

The return of the Champions League has snuck up on Chelsea and they will be hoping to welcome some of their star players back for this huge fixture. Potter is so far unbeaten in the competition with four wins and a draw from his five matches in charge.

It was European performances that kicked his reign off and got the Blues on a positive run and the hope will be that the excitment of a trip to Germany can kick start a big push until the end of the season.

Southampton (H) - February 18

It's another struggling team next up after that, and perhaps more importantly it's a home game. Matches around Champions League gameweeks always attract attention due to fatigue and fitness concerns.

With two London-based fixtures against relegation threatened sides, this is as good as Potter could have hoped for, though Nathan Jones' Saints have only lost one of their last four in all competitions. It's still a run of just one league win in eight though.

Liverpool next four fixtures:

Brighton (A), FA Cup - January 29

Wolves (A) - February 4

Everton (H) - February 13

Newcastle United (A) - February 18

Manchester City next four fixtures:

Wolves (H) - January 22

Arsenal (H), FA Cup - January 28

Tottenham (A) - February 5

Aston Villa (H) - February 12

Manchester United next four fixtures:

Arsenal (A) - January 22