Match Preview

Middlesbrough (a) Preview!

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Fulham make the long journey to Middlesbrough this Sunday to complete their Premiership campaign.

With survival ensured the game would not be of any real value. However, with the news that Lawrie Sanchez has been appointed on a permanent basis, may of the squad could be playing for their Fulham careers as the new boss has threatened to make changes next season.

Vital Quotes:

Sanchez, speaking after he had resigned as manager of Northern Ireland, remarked,

“I think it will be a reasonably busy summer. One, the squad is very thin so we need t boost its size and two, you need to improve the quality of the squad if you want to go forward. There`s lots of spaces to fill. There will be quite substantial changes.”

Middlesbrough Team News:

Middlesbrough defender, Jonathan Woodgate is once again fit for selection but is unlikely to play as he awaits exploratory surgery on a persistent knee problem. Also missing will be Andrew Taylor who has had a toe operation. Pogatez is expected to slot in at full back for the home side.

Player to watch: Viduka

Rumours persist that the much travelled striker could be on the verge of moving on. He often looks disinterested in what is going on around him but has the uncanny knack of scoring when it matters. He`ll be hoping to sign off for the season with a good performance.

Fulham Team News:

Fulham will travel to Teeside without the suspended duo of Brown and Diop. Brown received a belated ban after his blatant head butt on Xavi Alonso last weekend whilst Diop will serve a ban after being sent off, in injury time, in the same fixture. Queudrue has recovered from his ankle injury and should regain his starting place but Ian Pearce will still be missing as he recuperates from his foot injury.

Player to watch: Montella

Tomorrow will be the last chance we`ll get to see the on-loan striker play for Fulham with the club not willing to pay his high wages. In recent weeks he`s struggled to make the starting eleven, let`s hope if he gets an opportunity, against Middelsbrough, he`ll leave us with something special to remember him by.

Match Facts & Stats

Fulham are a poor travelling side and if we are to win at Middlesbrough it`ll be only our fourth away win in the space of three seasons. It`ll also be our first ever won at the Riverside Stadium. Is it ant wonder the odds favour the home side? Home win 10/11, away win 5/2 and the draw 11/5

Ref Watch:

Mike Riley (enough said!)

Match Prediction:

It`s probably a little too much to hope for an away win. We`ve drawn more games than any other Premiership team this season so we here at Vital Fulham can see yet another draw being added to the stats, therefore, we`ll go for something of a goal fest, 2-2!

Next Fixtures:

Sorry folks, that`s it for 2006-2007.

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