English Premier League – Match Preview: Fulham versus Tottenham Hotspurs
Fulham host their city rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs for a London derby match on 16th of October, 2010. The encounter between the both London clubs is expected to be an interesting one but that isn't all as Fulham’s habit of drawing most of their
league matches means that Tottenham will be in for a tough ride at the Craven Cottage.
Ever since Mark Hughes has taken over at Fulham, the men in black and white have only won one and drawn six out of their last seven league matches. This abysmal run of form has seen Fulham go unbeaten in the league so far and when they are pitted against
Tottenham, the Cottagers will give it their all to keep their record intact.
Tottenham are no slouches themselves. Currently, at the 5th spot in the English Premier League table, Harry Redknapp’s side is level on points with their local rivals, Arsenal. This is enough of a reason for the Spurs to give that extra bit which
might get them the victory in their matchup against an organized Fulham side.
Tottenham have played seven Premier League matches so far and have gathered 11 points. In doing so, they are the inform team in the English league. Hotspurs kicked off their league season with a goalless draw at the White Hart Lane against fellow Champions
League contenders, Manchester City.
After securing just a point against City, Tottenham travelled to the Britannia Stadium to face a Tony Pulis led Stoke City side. The Potters gave it their all but in the end, Hotspurs came out as eventual winners by two goals to one. However, the match was
surrounded by controversy as the referee disallowed a perfectly legitimate Stoke City goal- a goal that would’ve given them a draw against Redknapp’s men.
Following their draw against Stoke, Tottenham hosted Wigan Athletic at the White Hart Lane in a match that they were fully expected to win but Wigan had some other ideas as Roberto Martinez’s boys ran out as eventual winners by a narrow margin of a single
goal.
In their fourth match of the season, Tottenham drew one all against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns Stadium and then in the fifth match, defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers at the White Hart Lane, courtesy of a penalty kick from Rafael Van Der Vaart.
Tottenham lost their sixth match against West Ham United before inflicting two goals to one defeat on Aston Villa in their last league match before the two week international break.
Conversely, Fulham have lost one, drawn three and won one out of their last five league matches. If that wasn’t enough, they have drawn their last two league matches with Everton and West Ham United respectively. Before these draws, Fulham suffered a defeat
at the hands of a resurgent Stoke City side.
Last season’s corresponding fixture between the two sides at the Craven Cottage had ended in a goalless draw but much has changed at Fulham since then. In the summer transfer window, Mark Hughes became the club’s first team manager after Roy Hodgson departed
as the manager for the Merseyside club, Liverpool F.C.
Interestingly enough, it has been two years since Fulham won against Tottenham in the Premier League. Their last win can be traced back to 2008 Premier League season, when they had won by two goals to one. Keeping in mind Fulham’s form and Tottenham’s tendency
to drop points at the easiest of locations, this match is more likely to end in a draw than anything else. But regardless of all, Hotspurs have got what it takes to grab all three points if their players are really up for it.
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