Date: Wednesday, December 4th Venue: Craven Cottage Kick-off: 19:45
Match Preview
Martin Jol was deprived the chance to get things back on track for Fulham against his former club this week, and instead the task falls to Rene Meulensteen that chap who was sat next to Alex Ferguson for past couple of years. The fact Fergie rated him highly enough to make him his first team couch is credit enough for his coaching skills. Whether he can front a Premiere League club will be put to the test as his Fulham enter into the grueling Christmas fixtures. They have won just four of their last 21 watches and collected just four points from their last ten. AVB and his goal-shy and leaky Spurs side have equally as many questions to answer, and this may or may not prove to be the best match for them to truly show their credentials. While they are just three points outside of the top four, the fact they received such a drubbing from City ten days ago and the form of their neighbors has brought their early season promise into doubt.
Key Stats
Spurns trounced Fulham in the corresponding fixture last season 0-3, but Fulham walked away with the three points when they visited the Lane at the end of last season and snatched a hard fought 0-1. Both teams go into this with much to prove. For Fulham, theyve lost their last five successive matches, and are quickly in danger of going into Christmas at the root of the table. Meanwhile, Spurs form is nowhere near what the fans expected it would be after a promising if not awe-inspiring start. Despite the point against United, the drubbing received from the other Manchester outfit will still be on the tip of their tongues.
Team News
Dont expect wholesale changes from Fulham; Meulensteen has been influencing their play since the start of the campaign. They will still be without other former spurs man Dimitar Berbatov, so Darren Bent is likely to continue his loan spell from Villa as a lone striker for the Cottagers. The big question surrounding the Spurs line up will be whether AVB decides to stand by his goal-shy 26-million pound penalty taker Roberto Soldado or go with Jermaine Defoe who has been prolific in the Uefa Cup. Andros Townsend also looks likely to get a start after missing out on the weekend.