Fulham host Tottenham at Craven Cottage on Saturday . The hosts have 25 of their 35 points on home turf. Spurs snapped a three-match winless away run last time out.
Fulham Form
Fulham have won three of their last five league matches. A 3-1 home win over Bournemouth preceded a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. Marco Silva’s side went to Old Trafford and scored in the 97th minute for a famous win. They followed that up by thrashing Brighton 3-0 and then losing 2-1 at Wolves last time out.
Before this improved streak, the Cottagers were winless in six matches in all competitions. That included losing 3-2 on aggregate to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final and league draws vs relegation strugglers Everton and Burnley.
Fulham Team News
Raul Jimenez is back in training, but this match may come too soon for him. Fulham have no other injuries or suspensions. Joao Palhinha looks set to be recalled with Sasa Lukic likely to drop out.
Willian is pushing for a recall in place of Harry Wilson. Rodrigo Muniz will lead the line after five goals in his last six matches. Armando Broja will have to settle for a place on the bench again.
Fulham Motivation
Fulham will have every belief in winning this match. They’ve already beaten Arsenal and Man Utd this season and they revel in the space the top teams afford to them.
A draw is an okay result, but Marco Silva’s side won’t settle for one here.
Tottenham Form
Spurs are in good form right now with eight victories in 11 league matches. They’re two points behind Aston Vila with a game in hand. Last time out, they destroyed Villa 4-0 away to boost their Champions League hopes and keep just a third clean sheet in 20 matches in all competitions.
A 3-2 victory over Brentford was followed by two dropped points at Everton, leaking in the last minute to draw 2-2. They scored late themselves to beat Brighton 2-1 but were then beaten 2-1 at home by Wolves. Before their big win at Villa, they won 3-1 vs Crystal Palace with three late goals.
Tottenham Team News
Micky van de Ven is a doubt at the back due to a knee injury. Radu Dragusin may come into the XI in his place. Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster, and Ryan Sessegnon are all out injured.
Richarlison was close to being available for the last match after a knee injury. He should return to the bench for this one. Brennan Johnson is set to be preferred to Timo Werner down the left wing.
Tottenham Motivation
Spurs will go all out to win this match. A victory takes them into the top four before Aston Villa’s trip to West Ham on Sunday.
Postecoglou will play an open and attacking style and try to outscore the opponents. A clean sheet is not a priority.
Key Stats
Fulham have taken 25 of 35 total points at home (71%)
Fulham have won 3 of their last 5 EPL matches
Spurs have won 8 of their last 12 EPL matches
Tottenham have conceded in 17 of their last 20 matches (32 goals conceded)
Spurs have seen Both Teams to Score Yes in 9 of their last 10 EPL matches (24 scored, 16 conceded)
Verdict
This should be a good game with two open teams on show. I see both sides scoring, but Tottenham probably have too much for Fulham and are tipped to win.