Fulham v Norwich City - Match Preview
Fulham welcome Norwich City to Craven Cottage this afternoon for what is very much a mid-table clash. Martin Jols side are going through something of a mini rough patch at the moment. Nothing to be too concerned about, but theyve lost their last three games on the bounce including a convincingly 3-0 loss to Swansea and a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to struggling Aston Villa. Will they turn it round against a Norwich side that havent won in their last 12 visits to the capital? He didnt seem completely convinced... I dont think theres a big difference between the teams, the only thing is they have got a lot of players and they play in different systems and they use more players than we do. It wont go unnoticed by Norwich City fans that last time they travelled to Craven Cottage in 2005, it was to be their last match in Englands top tier, as they were relegated after succumbing to a humiliating 6-0 defeat. Paul Lambert seemed unconcerned by this though, saying: I know some fans will have been at the game (in 2005). The same ones will have been at Charlton, when they got relegated before we came in, in League One. Im sure it was the same fans who then watched the team get promoted. For me and the team, if you are telling me there is only Adam Drury left from it, there is no point me worrying about six or seven years ago. The Canaries are within touching distance of safety now, if indeed they havent secured their status anyway. One point from the magical 40 mark, they successfully put a string of disappointing results behind them to defeat Wolves 2-1 at Carrow Road. Team NewsFulham:Alex Kacaniklic is apparently going straight into the squad after being recalled from his loan spell at Watford where he was turning in some pretty impressive performances by all accounts. Orlando Sa, Steve Sidwell, Zdenk Grygera and Andrew Johnson are all missing out. Norwich City:Grant Holt is out. Thats the big blow for the Canaries after their skipper was sent off in their game against Wolves. Anthony Pilkington is doubtful and Daniel Ayala, Declan Rudd and Marc Tierney are out. Probable Line-ups Fulham (4-5-1): Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Dembele,Murphy, Dempsey, Ruiz; Pogrebnyak. Norwich (4-4-2): Ruddy; Martin, Ward, Whitbread, Naughton; Surman, Fox, Howson, Hoolahan; Jackson, Morison. Referee: Anthony Taylor My Prediction Norwich hate London and theyre missing Grant Holt. Their safety being pretty much confirmed last week also means some complacency may sneak in, though Paul Lambert would be loathe to admit it. Fulham will be trying to get past their blip, and have been very good at home for most of the season. Im going for a 2-1 home win.