Jose Mourinho doesn't mind losing to Fulham

Coach of Chelsea Jose Mourinho looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 between Galatasaray AS and Chelsea FC at Ali Sami Yen Arena on February 26, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho doesn’t mind losing to Fulham when they play each other on Saturday as long as it doesn’t affect Chelsea’s Premier League chances, and helps Fulham in avoiding relegation from top-flight football.

“I would take defeat, then 10 victories and the title,” said the Portuguese manager. “I’d like the London teams to stay up. I have that emotional connection with Fulham, our neighbours and our rivals.”

“Rivals need each other. It is good for everybody, so hopefully they can keep their place in the division, but we have to try.”

Fulham are at the bottom of the Premier League table with just 21 points.

However, Magath is confident that there is still a good chance for his team as the match comes just after three days from Chelsea’s Champions League match against Galatasaray, and Chelsea had very little time to train.

“It’s an advantage yes, we are lucky Chelsea had such a long trip and played on Wednesday – it’s a good situation for us,” said Magath. “Travel bothers the players, but Chelsea are the favourites.”

Mourinho was impressed with Magath’s understanding of Chelsea’s tiring situation. “In a world where not many people are honest in the way they analyse things, I have to praise Magath because he was the first one to say it’s a different match because Chelsea have this situation in midweek,” Mourinho acknowleged.

“I know of him and from what he was as a player and a coach, but I don’t know him personally. I don’t know his training methods, I only know his CV. I try to be pragmatic and read the CV and it is very clear and I respect that.”