Match Preview: Fulham v Spurs (it is coming back together again)

Match Preview: Fulham v Spurs (it is coming back together again)

It has taken a long time, but we are finally back to where we were at the start of the season. That long undefeated run made many pundits stretch their rubber necks a bit harder and look at us as possible challengers for the title.  

Yes, our critical components of that tremendous, swashbuckling start to the season have all finally returned and are working together as one unit.

It all fell apart when we faced Chelsea: key absentees since that extraordinary night when it seemed dozens of things went wrong. James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have now returned from those bad injuries and are once again outstanding players.

To add insult to misery, Son, Sarr, and Bissouma travelled to their respective countries to fight in meaningless competitions, thus depriving us of our important ingredients. But they are now back and have become—once again—hugely influential members of Ange Postecoglu's ball-busting team.

The last two pieces in Ange’s puzzle are full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, whose analytical importance to us only really becomes evident when they are not there. For the first time since we beat Brighton on 10 February, they were both included and the team looked balanced and formidable at our game against Villa.

We mustn’t forget Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner, who are starting to find their feet in Richarlison's absence. We really do look like a side capable of finishing the season as strongly as we started it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that injuries are kept to a bare minimum.

Fulham v Spurs

The late Saturday kick-off in the Premier League sees us take on our London rivals Fulham. We look to close in on Champions League football, whereas Fulham aim to grab a spot in the top half of the table.

Kick-off time: 17:30

Location: Craven Cottage

The mid-table has gotten tight, and a win for Fulham could bring them into the top half of the table. However, after the game against Villa, we are two points away from Champions League football and hope to continue our run.

Fulham currently sit 12th in the Premier League after 28 games. The Cottagers have ten wins, five draws, and 13 losses, leaving them at 35 points, five points from the top half of the table. They have been in good form in front of goal this season, scoring 40 goals in 28 games, giving them an average of 1.43 goals a game. Fulham have been better defensively, conceding 44 goals and keeping seven clean sheets.

We, on the other hand, currently sit fifth in the Premier League. In 27 games, we have had 16 wins, five draws, and six losses, which leaves us 53 points ahead of Manchester United and two points from Champions League football.

We have scored 55 goals in 27 games, an average of 2.12 goals a game. Nevertheless, we have been less consistent at the other end of the pitch, conceding 39 goals and keeping just five clean sheets.

Both clubs have met 104 times, with the first meeting coming all the way back in 1903. We have dominated this fixture with 55 wins compared to Fulham's 19 wins. In fact, a draw is more common than a Fulham win, happening on 30 occasions.

In the last five games in the fixture, we have won on four occasions. The other game, a League Cup tie, ended in a 1 - 1 draw, but Fulham won on penalties. Also, there have only been two instances of both teams being on the scoresheet in the last five games, but the defensive records of both teams suggest this might change.

TEAM NEWS

Fulham Team News

Marco Silva will have a fully fit squad this weekend, with Raul Jimenez set to be fit again after his thigh injury.

Spurs Team News

We will be without Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster, and Ryan Sessegnon this weekend, but Richarlison may be able to rejoin the squad. If he does, he will be on the bench.

My predicted Spurs possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Royal, Romero, Van de Ven**, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Johnson.

** I’ve added Van de Ven, as I’ve heard that his injury may have been minor and that he could be back for Saturday. If he doesn’t play, I’ll go for Substitute for Dragusin.

Prediction

I am going for a Spurs win: 0-4. And why not? If we can beat Villa by four goals, then I am sure that we can put four past the Cottagers. I did predict that we would beat Villa 2-1, but that prediction was blown out of the water in the second half at Villa Park.

Come on, you Spamming Munchers!!!!!

On Sunday, Villa takes on the Spamming Munchers at their Meccano stadium in Stratford. So, for this one game, “UP the Spamming Munchers,” do us proud and help us leapfrog Villa into fourth place. Then, you can continue spiralling downwards into the abyss of relegation battles.

On the day we face Fulham (16^th), but 39 years ago, we faced Liverpool.

Before Saturday, 16^th March 1985, there used to be a saying: “The last time we beat Liverpool at Anfield was the day the Titanic went down” (1912). No more: -

It had been 73 years since we had recorded a victory at Anfield, so it came as something of a shock when a Garth Crookes goal was enough to get all three points. What was even more remarkable was that it was EXACTLY 73 years to the day since we beat them on their ground. Yes, it was a remarkable day: I was there, and we went crazy in the stands when Crooke’s goal came in. It was like we had just won the league. In fact, that season (1984/85), we finished third. Liverpool, who finished second, had the same number of points as us (77) but a slightly better goal difference. Everton that season won the League.

Hopefully, this season is a precursor for next season’s trophy challenge - and winning - Ange Postecoglou’s ball-busting Glory, Glory team.

Up the Spurs!

COYS!

Glenn

With Steve Perryman