Derby vs Fulham

29/3- Fulham and Derby are probably the two teams that are set to be relegated from the top league of the English premier league and this weekend they get ready to face each other, both the teams have had a very bad season as per their standards and both teams have been performing not that greatly either. Both these teams have not won a single match away from home and also have found it difficult to hold their opponents for a draw. Derby have in fact not been able to score many points in their past few matches while Fulham have had their ups and downs. The last time both these teams faced each other was earlier this season and Fulham playing at home were held for a draw by the visiting Derby team. The overall record between the two teams shows that in the three times that the teams have faced each other two have been draws and the only victory has been achieved by Fulham. Derby would have the home advantage and they would be hoping that the home support can help them get some points in this match.

Fulham come into this match after they lost out to Newcastle, 2-0 in an away tie last week and they would be hoping to try and register their first away victory of the season. In the last 10 matches played by the team they have managed to get 2 wins, 2 draws and have had to face 6 losses.

Derby on the other hand have just 10 points of 31 matches and in the last 10 matches they have played they have only been able to get three draws where as all other 7 matches have had the ending on the losing side. Their last match was against Middlesbrough and they had to face yet another defeat and hence the players would not be highly confident or optimistic about their chances.

Prediction: 0-1, Fulham win

Fulham vs Everton

16/3- Fulham have had a dreadful season and they find themselves on the second last position and almost relegated as the season approaches its end, only some inspiring performances here can help them out of the problems they are currently in and this struggling team get prepared this week to play hosts to the 5^th placed Everton. Everton have had a great season and most certainly than not would be qualifying for European action for the next year and would want to continue the good form and hang on to the position achieved. While the home side are trying to avoid relegation the visiting side are concerned about their finishing in the top 5 of the premiership this season. This match can be expected to deliver some result as in the last 15 years no match between the two sides has ended in a draw. Everton are the dominant side as they have won 7 of the 13 matches played while the remaining 6 have been won by Fulham. The last encounter between the two sides that took place earlier this season saw Everton pulling off a marvellous 3-0 home victory.

Fulham are in a spot of bother due to the bad performance of the team in the past 10 games, they have lost 6 games while drawn 3 and won just a single game. They did show some grit against Blackburn last week in an away tie where they managed to hold the home team for a draw and get a point out of the match but they would have to throw a much better performance against a team like Everton.

Everton on the other hand have a great record this season, they have won 7 of the last 10 games with 2 being drawn and only 1 loss and anything less than a victory would be unsatisfactory for them.

Prediction: 0-2, Everton win

Blackburn vs Fulham

8/3- Blackburn are currently placed on the seventh spot and they would want to make it to the top six and get qualified for the European competitions next year. They are currently just 3points behind the sixth placed team and stand a good chance of giving them a run for their spot. They have been in good form almost throughout the season and this week they get ready to play hosts to a struggling Fulham. The visitors are placed on the second last spot and in their current form look set to be relegated this season, they have had a very poor season and only a miracle can help them get out of the position they are into. The home team on the other hand would be hoping to capitalise on this comparatively easier tie and get a big win at home this weekend to pressurize the teams above for a berth in all Europe club competitions. With the home crowd behind them, they would surely like to make the most.

Blackburn enter this match after two back to back victories, in fact they have had a good run in the last 10 matches as they have managed to win 5, draw 4 and have lost just a single match that too in an away tie against league leaders Arsenal. In their last home game that was against Bolton, the side came up with an emphatic 4-1 victory while in their last match which was an away tie against Newcastle the team earned a 0-1 victory. With strikers like Santa Cruz and McCarthy in top form the home side would not have much of worries.

Fulham on the other hand would like to make some points of this match as they have lost their last three matches and having not won a single match away from home all season the best they can hope is for a tie.

Prediction: 3-0, Blackburn win

Fulham vs Manchester United

1/3- Manchester United have given Arsenal a three point advantage and would like to make up for it as soon as possible, in an attempt to conquer the top spot again they travel to take on the 19^th placed Fulham this week. Fulham get into this match after two consecutive losses and would like to improve on the second last position they are currently in but they seem to be slipping out of contention and with 3 points between them and the 18^th placed Reading they are already in trouble and if the gap increases it would be difficult for them to recover. Fulham had lost the last time they played against Manchester United in an away tie earlier this season but would be hoping to get a better result playing at home. Manchester United however would be looking at nothing but a full three points from this tie and anything less would mean a huge set back to their dreams of conquering the title.

Fulham get into this match after losing their home game against West Ham United last week and would be hoping for at least a point from this tie as that might help them close in on teams out of the relegation zone. The two players who can possibly deliver against a quality side like Man U are Dempsey and Davies, both of whom have been in the pick of action for the club this season but Fulham would have to look out to their defence as Man U have the most menacing attack and can outscore any side on a given day.

Manchester United would be hoping to register another away win and with Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney there seems to be nothing that could possibly stop them. After  a convincing 1-5 away victory at Newcastle last week Sir Alex Fergusson’s side would want to repeat the performance this week as well.

Prediction: 1-2, Man U win

Fulham vs Aston Villa

3/2- If any side other than Derby that has struggled and is considered to be nearly out of the top league this season, it is Fulham. They are placed at the 19^th spot and on the points table they are 4 points behind the 18^th placed team, Wigan. In their previous encounter this season Aston Villa had won 2-1 in a home encounter.  Aston Villa are placed 5^th on the points table and their form this season has been good as well. Though their last two matches have ended as draws they would surely look forward at winning this tie. Fulham on the other hand managed to draw their away tie against Bolton in their last premiership tie. The history of the clubs places the tie even more in favour of Aston Villa as of the 13 matches played Villa have won 6 while the remainder 7 have been draws. Also a big problem that Fulham would face is that their form at home has been miserable and they have managed just 2 victories in 12 matches.

Fulham have been hampered by injury and to come out the position they are in it would be quite difficult for them. With the home crowd behind them they would try and get some points against Aston Villa but their record against Villa is not that moral boosting. Moreover a loss in this match would put them into even more trouble and this pressure might be too much to handle for them.

Aston Villa on the other hand would be hoping for a victory after 2 draws in the last two matches. They would be looking at a full three points and would possibly try and consolidate their position on top of the table and try and ensure their place for European competition next year.

Prediction: 0-2. Villa win

Bolton vs Fulham

29/1- With both the teams struggling at the bottom of the table there is a lot at stake when Bolton play hosts to Fulham. Fulham are down an out and at 19^th position on the points table the only place they can see is upwards. If they have a hope to survive in the premiership they need to start performing now and they still hold a theoretical chance to stay here. Fulham have not registered a single victory in their last 10 matches, in fact they have been on a losing streak and have lost their last 3 matches, the worst part is that in all losses they have been convincingly outplayed. Looking at the history between the two sides Fulham are the clear dominant force as they have won 8 of the 15 matches played and there have been 4 draws however the record might have to change this time as Fulham are a depleted side and have hardly showed any intent or plan. Fulham would have quite some points to prove as they go to Bolton after a tough last week when they were thrashed 0-3 by Arsenal in their own backyard. Dempsey and Davies would be the two players who could make a difference to the score line and if they manage to do so the Fulham defense would also have to rise to the occasion. With McBride, Elliot and Bouazza out of action the frontline and the mid field looks very fragile and only grit and determination from all players can now help them salvage some pride. Bolton on the other hand would be hoping to make the most of the out of form Fulham, though they are quite ahead of Fulham but the difference between them and the relegation zone is just a single point. They would not ilike to fall into a situation where they would have to fight for survival and hence 3 points from this match are highly essential. Prediction: 2-1, Bolton win

Fulham vs Arsenal

19/1- The performance against Birmingham last week cost Arsenal their leadership and they would want it back as well. They were held up by Birmingham for a 1-1 draw and now they stand at par with Manchester United on top of the table but are placed second due to their inferior goal difference. Now, they move away from home and the match against Fulham would be a tester as they would try to gain all the 3 points and if possible the position at the top as well. Fulham on the other hand are not even half as good as they looked last season and have found them in the relegation zone, struggling at the 19^th place. Their last week’s performance was not something they would like to remember as they lost 2-1 in an away tie to West Ham. They are only above Derby and lie 5 points below 18^th placed Sunderland.

Arsene Wenger would be confident that his side would not lose against Fulham but the problem for him would be that they should not lose out on the points if the match is drawn as that is what cost them the lead. Adebayor has been their most lethal weapon this season and has netted 14 times already, he along with the young Fabregas have formed a great combination for Arsenal upfront. The only thing that Arsenal need to ensure is that they win by a good margin  so that their overall goal difference can improve and they can probably edge out Man U on that factor if not on points.

Fulham on the other hand would have to struggle their way through even though they would have the crowd things on the field would be different, especially as the Gunners would be in an unforgiving mood.

Prediction: 0-4, Arsenal win

Fulham vs Chelsea

1/1- This one is a great example of the top team against the bottom team tie, with the third placed Chelsea visiting the 19^th spot Fulham. Both the teams have exactly opposite positions and records this season, while Chelsea have lost just one of their last 10 matches. Fulham have only managed to win one. But a common problem for both the teams is the injury list they currently bear. Chelsea have been good away from home this season as well and hence Fulham should not pose a huge challenge for Murinho’s side but they would hate to relax or take it for granted. Chelsea get into this match following a 2-1 win over Newcastle at home on the 29^th of December while Fulham traveled across to Birmingham and returned with a point following a 1-1 score line. Out of the last 13 matches played between the sides the blues have been able to manage 7 wins while 5 have been draws, leaving Fulham with just a solitary victory.

 

Chelsea would be banking on Shevchenkov to deliver the goods in this match as Drogba and Lampard would be missing out from the tie. However the return of Cole and Carvalho would have a good impact on the defense of the side. Kalou would be another name that could appear on the score sheet as he has already registered 4 goals this season. Chelsea are just 4 point behind Man U and would be hoping to close that gap as well as move away from the 4^th placed Liverpool who seem to be catching up all the time.

 

Fulham on the other hand would be in search of some inspiration to help them revive their struggling campaign this year. The new year and home crowd might just help them to try and achieve it but against a team of the caliber of Chelsea, it could be quite difficult.

 

Prediction: 0-2, Chelsea win

Tottenham vs Fulham

26/12- With both the teams at a position that is not that stable and are locked with other teams with the same number of points as well as only a small difference between them and the teams below, both would be in search of the elusive victory. Looking at the past record between both teams Fulham proves to be the dominating force and a look at the matches played in Tottenham’s backyard proves the fact even more, out of the 9 matches played there the home team has just won thrice while Fulham have been on the winning side 4 times and twp matches have been drawn. But then a second look at the points table this season quickly reveals that Fulham have been struggling for form and points and lie on the 17th spot just above the relegation zone, that too just because of a better goal difference. Looking at the recent matches, Tottenham put a valiant effort only to end on the losing side against the league leaders, Arsenal in an away tie last week. However, the form of the players looks pretty good as prior to the defeat to Arsenal the team managed to beat good opponents like Portsmouth and Manchester City in away and home encounters respectively. The players that have inspired a comeback after a weak start to the season have been striker Dempsey and the efforts of Kamara. With the home crowd behind them, the spurs would like to get the full points of this match. Fulham have been lucky to feature out of the relegation zone but their recent matches and the game displayed would suggest that luck cannot save them for a longer time, with just a single victory and 5 losses in the last 10 matches they have nothing to showcase this season. Even a point at this stage would be a blessing. Prediction: 1-0, Tottenham

Fulham vs Wigan

22/12- This is a classic bottom of the table tie, while both clubs are fighting hard to avoid relegation. Fulham are a depleted side with most of their defensive and mid field options suffering from injuries. While Fulham enter this match with the last matches ending as losses, Wigan have managed a 5-3 triumph over Blackburn last week and that would be a great moral booster. If any of the team can manage to get an outright win here they will be in a position that they go to Christmas outside the relegation zone and that can be really helpful to the side’s chances of progressing further after Christmas.

 

Wigan have a full fledged side to select from and hence they can afford to have their best team play this match. The side appears to benefit a lot from the return of Heskey and the form of striker Bent is also an auspicious sign for the club. The team does have the spark to get them out of the position they are in and they can hope for better performances in the coming time. The thing that Wigan need to beware of is defensive lapses as they have often lost matches because of that and have recorded the second highest number of losses this season.

 

Fulham probably would expect to revive after Christmas as half of their defensive side looks injured and the same applies for the center field. As of this match, Fulham should be happy with a draw and if they win they should take it as a bonus. However as of the current time and form Wigan look set to win their first match away from home and would be expecting to enter into the Christmas break with a nice position on the points table as the first half of the season has not been that pleasing for them.

 

Prediction: 1-2, Wigan win

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