Having been beaten by Sunderland last weekend, Fulham faces two consecutive away games in the next four days, with a visit to troubled Chelsea next Wednesday being preceded by a visit to the Potteries to take on Stoke City this Saturday. On paper it may not look to be the most attractive of fixtures, but you just never know.
Vital Quotes:
To follow
Stoke City Team News:
Stoke City, under the continued tutorship of Tony Pulis, will enter this fixture with a couple of doubts.
Needing fitness tests will be Andy Wilkinson (back) whilst Michael Owen is out of consideration altogether.
However, Pulis is able to welcome back Andy Whitehead after the midfielder completed his suspension last time out.
Player to watch: Jon Walters
Consistent, dangerous and a team player, someone who is often very under-rated.
Fulham Team News:
Martin Jol takes his side to Staffordshire with hamstring injures plaguing several of his first team squad, definitely out with such a problem are Alex Kacaniklic, Bryan Ruiz, Kieran Richardson and Mickael Taveres.
Also missing will be our Norwegian centre back who starts a three-match ban having been sent off last time out, against Sunderland.
But, on a positive front, Chris Baird and Mahamadou Diarra are both fit after missing out last time around.
Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov
Can his trickery undo the resolute Stoke defence? Let`s hope so!
Match Facts & Stats
Fulham tend to just about have the edge when they play Stoke.
Saturday will be the 73rd time the clubs have met with Fulham racking up 30 wins to the 27 of Stoke.
In the last 4 meetings we`ve won 3 but lost the last time our paths crossed when we lost 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium
Ref Watch:
Our officials for this intriguing fixture are:-
Michael Oliver – Referee
D.C. Richards – Assistant
A. Halliday – Assistant
M. Naylor – Fourth Official
Match Prediction:
Away games used to be dreaded but recent away trips have proven to be highly entertaining with 3-3 draws away to both Arsenal and reading, can we go one better and grab all three points at the Britannia Stadium? Off course we can, 2-1 to Fulham.
Next Fixtures:
It`s local derby time this Wednesday (28th November) when we take on our near rivals Chelsea
