It`s a real humdinger of a tie, as Fulham entertain Tottenham Hotspur in round four of the FA Cup this Sunday. Fulham supporters will be hoping that Mark Hughes can engineer the downfall of a Spurs side that have been playing some top-notch football in recent weeks.
Vital Quotes:
Having lost, narrowly, twice to Spurs already this season Mark Hughes will be keen to get one over Harry Redknapp this time out. Hughes, in the pre-match build up, has spoken about our improvement in form in recent games, commenting,
“We were doing the right things before but just didn`t have that cutting edge. We`ve added that in recent weeks.”
“It is not now a case of hoping to win games, it`s about expecting to. That`s a different mindset.”
Let`s hope Sparky is right!
Fulham Team News:
Mark Hughes will, once again be without the injured duo of Bobby Zamora and Philippe Senderos.
Gael Kakuta, signed in midweek on loan from Chelsea, is cup-tied so will play no part in proceedings.
David Stockdale remains between the sticks with Mark Schwarzer still away on international duty with Australia in the Asia Cup.
With Hughes having previously pressed home the importance off the FA Cup to him, expect Fulham to put out a full strength side.
Player to watch: Danny Murphy
Please Danny, please join the ranks of former players that grace the history books with goals against their previous club!
Spurs Team News:
Harry Redknapp, mindful of the plethora of games Spurs have coming up may shuffle his pack.
Definitely out though are Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, Tom Huddlestone and the current man-of-the-moment Gareth Bale.
Likely to come back after injuries are Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Heurelho Gomes and Wilson Palacios.
Player to watch: Luka Modric
Pulls the strings at the heart of the Spurs midfield and drives forward with purpose, keep him shackled and we could be halfway there.
Match Facts & Stats
The history books show that this is the 75th meeting between these two clubs, Spurs have won the last three and have a Premier League double already over us this season.
As far as the FA Cup goes, this is the sixth time we`ve met with Spurs having knocked us out on the five previous occasions.
Ref Watch:
The officials are Phil Dows (referee, Darren Cann and Adam Watts (assistants) and Anthony Taylor (fourth official)
Match Prediction:
This is a hard one to call. My heart says Fulham but my head can`t make its mind up. One minute it sways towards Fulham the next towards Spurs, but I`ll be brave and go for as Fulham win, by the narrowest of margins, 1-0!
Next Fixtures:
It is a return to our Premier League programme next with a home fixture against Newcastle, a game that is being televised live by Sky Sports.
