Tottenham Hotspur travel to Craven Cottage this weekend to face Fulham. Fresh from two successive victories, Tottenham have bounced back to winning ways after a poor early November. Spurs had endured three consecutive defeats in the league against Wigan
Athletic, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 and Manchester City.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas will be cautious ahead of the trip to face Fulham, who have been impressive lately. The Cottagers managed a 0-0 draw against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in mid-week, and despite not having won any of their last 6 games, they are capable of anything
at home.
Tottenham will be targeting a third victory in the league, while Fulham will fight hard to win their first 3 points in over 7 games. The match looks set to be a thrilling encounter with both teams going for the win.
Fulham
Expected starting line-up:
Mark Schwarzer, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giorgos-Karagounis-c14970.
Fulham will go into the game without captain Brede Hangeland, who is currently serving 3-match suspension following his red card against Sunderland. The team has missed his physical presence and leadership at the back, and will have a tough time without
him against an in-form Tottenham side.
Senderos and Aaron Hughes are likely to continue their centre-back partnership in the absence of the skipper, with Riise and Riether at left-back and right-back respectively.
The midfield remains the same, with Sidwell, Diarra and Duff in a 4-3-3 formation. There are no changes to be expected from the side that travelled to Stamford Bridge and secured a draw.
Up front, Fulham will deploy Rodallega and Karagounis on the flanks with the in-form Berbatov playing down the centre. The Bulgarian has been an immense signing for the club, and continues to deliver for the team.
Tottenham Hotspur
Expected starting line-up:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062, Jermain Defoe, Gareth Bale.
Tottenham are expected to play Steven Caulker in defence in place of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, but may return to partner Michael Dawson, who got his first Premier League start in
mid-week. The Englishman impressed with his performances, and is likely to start another game.
Walker and Vertonghen will play in the full back positions with Dempsey, Dembele and Sandro in the centre. Dembele returned to the team after his recurring hip injury, and is likely to face his former club. The Belgian midfielder was badly missed by Tottenham
in their last few games, and his return will be a big boost for the team.
Clint Dempsey has also started to settle in at his central role at Tottenham, and will face his old club for the first time since he left them in the summer. The attacker will be assisted by Dembele, and supported by Sandro in the holding midfield position.
Up front, Tottenham’s three pronged attack is set to stay the same, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jermain-Defoe-c18359 is set to start, with Lennon
and the excellent http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 on the wings.
Final score: 1-2
I expect Tottenham to win this game only because of their recent form in the league. Fulham will provide them with a tough time, but Tottenham have better quality going forward and have looked more solid at the back recently. I expect Berbatov, Defoe and
Bale to feature on the score sheet.
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