FA Cup: Fulham V Tottenham Hotspur – Sunday, 30th January

Fulham V Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday, 30th January – 16:30 (GMT)
Venue: Craven Cottage
TV Coverage: ESPN

 

Fulham

Although Fulham have turned a corner recently with regards to their previously ailing levels of form – Mark Hughes’ men were inside the bottom three at Christmas, the Cottagers will nonetheless be delighted to escape doldrums of the Premier League as they prepare to play host to one of their London rivals on Sunday in the form of a Tottenham Hotspur team who beat them 2-1 at Craven Cottage back in October, a defeat which ended Fulham’s seven-match unbeaten start to the season.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes was left stunned during the week. The Welshman, who was honest enough to say he has made many a visit to Anfield during his career and been completely outplayed, whether that be as a manager or a player, but on this occasion he genuinely felt hard done by. We feel he has justification to be feeling more than just a little aggrieved at the final result, not least because it ended a promising run of four games without defeat.

A calamity own goal from Fulham full-back John Pantsil handed Liverpool a fortuitous 1-0 victory at Anfield in a match Fulham dominated for large periods. Comfortable yet authoritative in possession, on the whole very solid and resolute at the back, no-one actually knows how Fulham lost that encounter. They had chances, some of which were golden, but it was just one of those nights I’m afraid where whatever they touched, Fulham just weren’t going to prosper. It was like a slap in the face mind, an emphatic sucker-punch which may have taken some of the winds out of the Fulham sails as previously Mark Hughes had seen his side not only embark on a four-match unbeaten run, but win three of their last four games in all competitions whilst scoring an encouraging amount of goals.

So Mark Hughes will have to do what he’s paid for to perfection this week, which is to galvanise his demoralised dressing room following Wednesday’s hard-to-accept defeat to Liverpool. In fairness, though, Hughes had plenty of positives to take from that match, as well as their impressive form beforehand, that his only real concern is the mood back at base camp. But that shouldn’t be a problem when you consider that Sunday’s opponents are that of Tottenham, their local rivals and the team which inflicted their very first defeat of the season upon.

Team News: Despite tasting defeat for the very first time in 2011 on Wednesday, Mark Hughes will be reluctant to make too many changes to his starting eleven after the Cottagers produced one of their most accomplished performances of the season. Andy Johnson looked something like his former lively and energetic self up front and should retain his place in the team, though Moussa Dembele, who wasn’t particularly impressive, may lose out to Diomansy Kamara who scored a hat-trick in the previous round at home to Peterborough. Dickson Etuhu also scored that day although the combative midfielder is out with a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is still away with the Australia team. Gael Kakuta, who recently signed for Fulham on loan from Chelsea, is unfortunately cup-tied.

 

Tottenham Hotspur

While many found the festive schedule too arduous to handle, Tottenham found it a breeze. In fact, Harry Redknapp’s side were one of only two teams to have won all three of their league games over Christmas, a run which significantly boosted their claims for a first Premier League crown but also raised the levels of expectations around White Hart Lane. But it would appear the Spurs of old are back, the North Londoner’s reverting to type almost, as all this pent-up potential looks set to deliver nothing but brief memories of what it was like to be considered a genuine threat for a change, though clearly not a champion.

To be honest, they only have themselves to blame. Architects of their own downfall are what Spurs are, a club with far too many distractions to concentrate on the matters at hand. We said it at the beginning of the year and we’ll say it again, because we were right, but the Beckham saga has backfired massively. Some may argue it was a ploy to further enhance their profile around Europe by lavishing Europe’s paparazzi with inarguably the biggest icon in football, while the club would also profit from the sale of various merchandise involving Beckham and Spurs. But with regards to the football side of things, the most important aspect of all, Beckham has brought far too much unwanted attention to the club.

Instead of all the focus being on a title challenge, it is instead on David Beckham and this on going feud between them and West Ham over the Olympic Stadium. Quite frankly, Spurs didn’t need to get involved in either. Of course, had Tottenham began 2011 as they finished 2010, nothing would be said about all of the off-pitch drama which has unfolded. However, it would appear both have taken a toll on their concentration levels and all of a sudden, Spurs have gone from the Premier League’s dark horses straight back to top-four contenders following a lacklustre beginning to 2011 which has seen Spurs win just one of their opening four matches of the year, fittingly in this very competition.

In the Premier League, Tottenham have yet to win this year following two draws and a loss. Their fixtures of late have been tough, however, pitted against Everton (LOST 2-1), Manchester United (Drew 1-1 at home) and Newcastle United (Drew 1-1 away). Nevertheless, there is little momentum to be had from those results despite the latter seeing Spurs score right at the death to take a point from their visit to St James’ last Saturday.

Interestingly, Harry Redknapp made wholesale changes in the previous round. An understrength Spurs comfortably saw to Charlton Athletic of League One, though they did take some time to get going and not before the introduction of LIndiaa Modric. I doubt Harry will be taking Fulham lightly, though, so expect the big guns to return for Sunday’s all-London contest.

Team News: Spurs shot-stopper Gomes has been a minor doubt with a shoulder problem which kept him out of the match with Newcastle last weekend, however the Brazilian is in the squad and should regain the gloves. Wilson Palacios, who normally adds some steel to the Spurs midfield, is unlikely to start after suffering with knee problems. Jonathan Woodgate recently turned down the opportunity to join Wolves on loan and could be handed a rare window to impress Redknapp on Sunday. Tom Huddlestone and Ledley King are among those definitely ruled out, as is one of their stars of this season, Gareth Bale. The Welsh international has been ruled out after complaining of back problems.

——————————————————–

2010/2011 FA Cup Results

Fulham

Third Round: Fulham 6-2 Peterborough

Tottenham Hotspur

Third Round: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Charlton Athletic

——————————————————–

Pointers

Fulham

- Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat away at Liverpool was Fulham’s first in five games, the Cottagers having won three of their previous four matches.

- Since the start of the season, Fulham have hosted 15 games at Craven Cottage losing just three. However, one of those three teams was Tottenham.

- Only Everton and Sunderland have stopped Fulham from scoring at Craven Cottage this season.

- Fulham have a miserable record against fellow London clubs this season: W0 D1 L5.

Tottenham Hotspur

- Harry Redknapp’s charges have lost just one of their last 15 games in all competitions.

- Spurs have won just one of their last five games away from home in all competitions.

- Tottenham have scored in all but two of their away matches this season, Manchester United and West Ham United the only teams to have denied Spurs any spoils in front of goal (All competitions).

- All four of Tottenham’s last four away goals have been scored by midfielders.

Head-to-Head

- The FA Cup brought these two together at the Quarter-Final stage last season, Fulham holding their London rivals to a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage but, despite Bobby Zamora putting them in front in the replay, Spurs won 3-1 back at White Hart Lane.

- Fulham have never beaten Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, Spurs winning five of the seven meetings in this competition.

- The Cottagers have won just one of the previous thirteen meetings with Tottenham.

- Tottenham are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Fulham, winning both league encounters last term.

——————————————————–

Match Prediction: Fulham to WIN – 21/10 Boylesports

Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Tom Huddlestone helped Tottenham turn the last encounter between the two at Craven Cottage on its head following Diomansy Kamara’s opener for the hosts. Tottenham went from strength to strength thereafter and were gradually shaping up as genuine title contenders, however their hopes of winning a maiden Premiership crown have recently taken a massive hit courtesy of their lacklustre start to 2011 and with Fulham currently enjoying a richer vein of form, albeit hosting an always dangerous Spurs on the back of Wednesday’s disappointing defeat away at Liverpool, I’m quietly fancying Fulham’s chances of causing an upset on home soil.

Tottenham made it all the way to the semi-finals last season before losing to Portsmouth at Wembley, but without Gareth Bale and brandishing very little form, I just don’t see a great deal of value in backing Spurs to win away from home against a Fulham side who have been so strong at Craven Cottage for some time now. The old guard have started to show glimpses of their form of old, the likes of Damien Duff and Andy Johnson in particular recently looking sprightly and enthusiastic about their football, so definite value in the hosts, in my humble opinion.

Value Bet: Andy Johnson to Score – 3.50 PaddyPower

 

Match Odds:

Fulham – 21/10 Boylesports
Draw – 5/2 BetFred
Tottenham Hotspur – 7/5 WilliamHill