Having gone two weeks without a game we now have three in a short space of time. The first, at Wolves, has been fulfilled and the second, against Bolton, is looming up fast. Time to get back to winning ways we suggest!
Vital Quotes:
With five games to go the season is in danger of just fizzling out. But we`re not that far above the relegation places and with some tricky fixtures to come, it be dangerous to take our foot off the pedal.
Therefore, it`s encouraging to hear Mark Hughes remark,
“We have got five games until the end of the season and we are looking to get points in each and every one of them.”
We reckon five points from those five games should leave us sitting comfortably.
Fulham Team News:
Mark Hughes has a couple of players with injury worries. Damien Duff is still trying to shrug off an Achilles knock whilst Philippe Senderos is still on the road back to full fitness after a bad Achilles injury in close season.
On Saturday, at Wolves, Danny Murphy picked up a knock but should be fit enough to play. Bobby Zamora, who was nursing a back injury picked up in training should also be fit to start.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey
It seems ages since Clint scored but he plays tomorrow night (if selected) knowing he can equal the club record of 32 Premier League goals currently held by Brian McBride and Steed Malbranque.
Bolton Team News:
Owen Coyle brings his side to London hoping he gets a better result this time than he did when Wembley became a bad memory courtesy of a 5-0 thrashing by Stoke City.
On that day his current form scorer, Daniel Sturridge, was unable to play as he was cup-tied. There`s a fair chance Sturridge might be missing this time around as well as he picked up an ankle knock in Bolton`s fine win over Arsenal on Sunday.
Players definitely not available for Owen Coyle`s starting eleven are Davis, Holden and Ricketts. The latter has an Achilles injury whilst the former two have knee knocks.
Player to watch: Gary Cahill
Tipped by many to make a big summer move, let`s see how he compares, on the day, against our own Brede Hangeland.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton have already beaten Fulham at Craven Cottage this season when they knocked us out of the FA Cup. As far as recent league meetings between the two sides go though, a draw has been the inevitable result with the last three ending that way.
The Trotters arrive in West London though having not beaten us at Craven Cottage in the league since 1992, here`s hoping we can keep that run going.
Ref Watch:
Our officials this Wednesday evening are –
Anthony Taylor (referee)
John Flynn and Martin Yerby (assistants)
Peter Walton (fourth official)
Match Prediction:
The last two fixtures, for our opposition, have seen vastly differing results. After being crushed 5-0 in their FA Cup semi-final against Stoke City, Bolton pulled off a great result beating Arsenal 2-1 at the weekend.
Fulham are stronger at home than on the road, thankfully so otherwise we`d be in relegation trouble, and I`m taking Fulham to run out narrow winners this Wednesday by 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
It`s back on the road at the weekend with a long trip to take on Sunderland.
