Football Update: EPL News- Blackburn vs. Fulham (Match Preview)
Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers have been unbeaten in last 5 home games against Fulham; they have won 4 of those games and one ended in a draw. However, their recent form has not been that convincing, Rovers have not won their last 3 matches this season
and their only win came on the opening day of the season.
The home form for Fulham has been their strength from last season. In their last 20 away games, Cottagers have not won a single game. Their last away win came all the way back in August 2009 in the first match of the last campaign under Roy Hodgson.
Blackburn would be looking to give a start to Michel Salgado, the former Real Madrid man and Ryan Nelsen; both have recovered from couple of niggling injuries due to which they missed the 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend. Keith Andrews though is
still out and would not be part of the team.
Mark Hughes, who took over Fulham in the summer, will have an emotional angle to the game, as he spent 6 years at Blackburn and much of their success was credited to the former Manchester United captain. Hughes has number of problems in his squad; Andrew
Johnson is still a doubt as he continues to be hampered by a knee injury. Bobby Zamora who was brought in this summer is also out for long after getting a fractured leg last week. Fulham have played Blackburn at Ewood Park 37 times and have come away with
3 points on just 8 occasions in their history.
Former Chelsea and Newcastle player Damien Duff is still a doubt, while former Arsenal defender Philipe Senderos also joins David Stockdale on the injury list.
The same fixture last season ended 2-0 win for Rovers, while Fulham won the corresponding fixture at Craven Cottage 3-0. So clearly, it is the home side that has the edge in these matches.
Mark Hughes would be aiming to lead his side to back to back wins for the first time in last 16 games, the last game them resulted in a 2-1 win against Wolves. However, the fact that it is an away tie the odds may still be against the Cottagers.
Blackburn manager, Sam Allardyce is expected to field a 4-4-1-1 line up. Kalinic would be the man leading the attack, just behind him would be the troublesome EL Haj Diouf. The 4 man midfield will comprise of talented Pedersen on the left, M Diouf and Jones
in centre of midfield, and Grella on the right. The former Spurs goalkeeper Mark Robinson would be in goal and the backline is expected to feature Nelsen and Samba in centre, while Salgado would be on right and Nelsen would cover the left back spot.
Mark Hughes is not expected to change things much, as normally managers tend to go with 4-5-1, while playing away from home. Fulham are expected to play with 4-4-1-1 instead, much talked about Aussie Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer would be the man between the
posts. African Pantsil would be the right full back, with Kelly on the left side of defence. Hughes and Hangeland would guard the centre of defence for Fulham. Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy would be in centre of midfield with the American Clint Dempsey.
Etuhu and Dasvies would be marshalling the wings, and Zoltan Gera would be playing just behind the lone striker Dembele.
Fulham had a remarkable 2009-10 season under Roy Hodgson, where they managed to get to the final of Europa League, and also got their best Premier League finish. However away form was still a problem for them and Mark Hughes would have his work cut out to
turn that around.
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