Premier League preview: Fulham v Stoke City
With the race for fourth place taking centre stage at the City of Manchester Stadium this evening, the Premier League’s other match tonight - the intriguing battle for 10th place - can’t quite match it in terms of glamour.
Nevertheless, Europa League finalists Fulham will host Stoke City at Craven Cottage, with both clubs aiming for a top-half finish come Sunday afternoon.
It’s been a momentous week for the Cottagers, after they sealed their place in this month’s Europa League Final last week. Roy Hodgson has deservedly taken the plaudits for guiding the west-Londoners through what has proved a quite remarkable European campaign; and one which will live long in the memory of every Fulham supporter.
Stoke, meanwhile, are bidding to improve on last year’s 12th-place finish on the back of another impressive season under another experienced British manager.
The job Tony Pulis has done this season can’t be understated. Avoiding second-season syndrome is no mean feat – just ask Phil Brown and Hull City – but the Potters have again been solid, stubborn and tough to break down under the leadership of their cap-wearing tactician.
Off the field, there have been one or two problems which Pulis has been forced to contend with, including the recent tantrum from striker Dave Kitson after he was substituted against Chelsea.
However, the Stoke boss insists that team spirit is still strong at the Britannia Stadium, despite several other conflicts and disputes arising over the course of the season.
If there are persisting doubts over morale levels in the Stoke camp, then it’s an entirely different situation in the Fulham one at present.
The jubilant scenes at the final whistle of last Thursday’s European semi-final against Hamburg, as the club reached unchartered territory, was perhaps the proudest moment in Fulham’s 121-year history. The crowd were rocking, chanting the names of their manager and players. Things have rarely been rosier at SW6.
Hodgson is now considered firm favourite for the Manager of the Year accolade - a sentiment which has been championed by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. It will reward his achievements in not only the Europa League, but also the Premier League, where the former Inter Milan manager has transformed the club’s fortunes in a matter of two years.
Victory for the Cottagers tonight would make it a two-horse race for 10th spot between them and Blackburn with one match left to play. Although it would be easy to give too much attention on the pending showpiece final in Hamburg, Hodgson will ensure his players are focused and prepared on matters this evening.
Their recent form in the league has been rather unspectacular, and they will end the Premier League season this weekend with a tough match away at Arsenal. A win tonight, though, would bring an end to another satisfactory season inside the top flight for the home supporters.
Meanwhile, Stoke’s form has been shaky of late. Without a win in their last four league matches, they will aim to stop the rot this evening. Title-challengers Manchester United are next up for the Potters this Sunday, away at Old Trafford, so any hopes they harbour of winning again before next season will be resting on tonight’s result.
Neither side has much to play for this evening; but both managers will ensure this match is still a competitive encounter. Hodgson and Fulham will want to keep winning right up until their final against Atlético Madrid; while Pulis and Stoke will be determined to win one more game before the end of the campaign.
Prediction: Fulham 2 Stoke City 1
Tags: