After sitting out the weekend, we find ourselves the centre of attention tonight when we welcome Liverpool to Craven Cottage this evening.
Liverpool, under Kenny Dalglish, have had a decent start to the season and will be looking to keep that momentum going whilst Fulham will want to harvest the three points available to ensure they put some distance between themselves and the relegation trapdoor.
Vital Quotes:
Dickson Etuhu, after muttering about possibly leaving, has taken advantage of injuries to stake a claim for a starting place in the middle of the par.
Dickson is expected to start against Liverpool tonight and ahead of the game he has spoken about his future, remarking,
“I`ve always been happy at the club.”
“Fulham is a great club and I`m not saying I am unhappy here.”
“The chairman gave me a very good contract and I could easily keep my mouth shut and collect my money, but that`s not me.”
“I like to play, I enjoy playing with my team mates. If I`m not, and I`m on the bench, I`ll obviously look elsewhere.”
I guess you can but only admire his honesty.
Fulham Team News:
After limping off in the defeat to Twente (of Holland), Damien Duff isn`t expected to feature for Martin Jol`s team tonight.
But there is good news with it being reported that Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey should both be fit enough for consideration for selection.
Plus, there`s also the likelihood that Bryan Ruiz might start.
Player to watch: John Arne Riise
The Norwegian will be desperate to do well against his former side, wouldn`t it be nice if he could cap his night off with a goal!
Liverpool Team News:
Kenny Dalglish will have to do without his Brazilian midfielder, Lucas. The player picked up an injury against Chelsea and is expected to be out for a considerable time.
Also missing will be the influential Steven Gerrard with the BBC reporting that young Jay Spearing will fill the void.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez
A revelation since joining Liverpool. He needed very little time to settle in and has quickly replaced the departed Fernando Torres in the hearts of the Liverpool supporters.
Match Facts & Stats
Our record against Liverpool isn`t one to write home about. We`ve managed just 3 wins in the last 20 Premier League games against them.
Last season we were thrashed 5-2 in the corresponding fixture and when it comes to scoring against the Mersey side, we`ve only done that in two of the last eight!
Match Prediction:
Liverpool are on a tremendous run when it comes to away fixtures and Craven Cottage hasn`t exactly been the fortress we know it can be in recent times. Last season, in the corresponding fixture, we got walloped but this time I have this sneaking suspicion it might be different. A narrow Fulham win is what I reckon will happen tonight.
Next Fixtures:
Next weekend we head off to Swansea for another fixture in which we need to get a result.
