A west London derby with the added bite of a disaffected home crowd will ensure there'll be no lack of atmosphere at Stamford Bridge - but what kind of atmosphere remains to be seen.
I knew Chelsea fans weren't keen on the prospect of Rafa Benitez taking over and that there was history between them based on the rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool going back a few years when one or two things were said, but I was still taken aback by the level of abuse he received at the weekend .
I can't remember seeing a manager made to feel so unwelcome as he started a new job - not even Alex McLeish at Aston Villa last year. Not by a long way.
Clearly it's not going to turn into a love-fest any time soon, but a few decent results should at least lead to a thaw after the frosty reception.
A win wouldn't go amiss for either of these two teams at the moment, having gone 10 games without one between them. It's Chelsea's worst run since they went six matches without a victory at the same time two years ago, while Fulham are in danger of losing three in a row for the first time this season.
It won't surprise you to learn that Chelsea have the upper hand in matches with their neighbours from alongside the Thames, but the games are usually close and the last three Premier League encounters have ended in draws.
Nonetheless, Fulham have only beaten Chelsea once in the last 32 league and cup meetings. It's a run stretching back 33 years, with their only success being a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage six years ago.
Fulham will feel it's about time they put one over their neighbours, while Benitez looks for a much-needed first win as Chelsea's interim manager.
Head-to-head
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The last three encounters between the sides have ended in draws, including two 1-1 stalemates last season.
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Fulham have beaten Chelsea only once in the last 32 league and cup meetings, spanning 33 years. Their only success was a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage in March 2006.
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Chelsea have won seven of 11 Premier League home derbies with Fulham, but only two of them have come by more than a one-goal margin.
Chelsea
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Chelsea are winless in their last five league games, their worst run of results since a six match winless run between November and December in 2010.
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Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City means that Rafael Benitez have failed to see a side he has managed score in his last three Premier League matches.
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Chelsea fired 19 goals in their opening eight league games but have scored just five in their subsequent five matches.
Fulham
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Martin Jol's side are also winless in their last five league matches and are in danger of losing three successive games for the first time this season.
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Only Southampton (19) have conceded more goals on their travels this term than the Cottagers (16).
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This is Fulham's third London derby of the season; they are yet to win one after drawing 3-3 at Arsenal and losing 3-0 at West Ham.