The six-pointers keep coming, as we travel to The Hawthorns following Wednesday night’s draw with fellow relegation scrappers, Brighton…
After only securing one of the three points on offer at The Amex, Scott Parker’s team will be under pressure to complete the double over 19th-placed West Bromwich Albion. Sam Allardyce’s latest rescue mission is coming off of a 5-0 thrashing to Manchester City, and despite some glimmers of improvement under Big Sam, have not shown themselves to be anything other than likely candidates for a swift return to The Championship. If Fulham are to avoid the same fate, then a win here is as a close to a necessity as it can be, halfway through the season.
Goals remain hard to come by, and the lack of incisiveness on display during our trip to the south coast is certainly a concern. However, in his 12 minute cameo, Aleksandar Mitrovic made some positive contributions to The Whites’ attack, and it will be of great interest to fans to see if he is given the chance to lead the line against The Baggies. With West Brom just two points behind The Cottagers, albeit having played a game more, a loss would be hugely damaging to either sides’ survival bid, but a draw doesn’t offer much solace either. Both sides are desperate for thee points, and it may be a case of which team better manages the nerves, and handles the pressure that will dictate the outcome.
PREDICTION: WBA 0-1 FULHAM
PREFERRED LINE-UP: 5-3-2
HEAD TO HEAD
LEAGUE RECORD (OVERALL)
- GAMES PLAYED – 74
- FULHAM WINS – 24
- DRAWS – 19
- WBA WINS – 31
- GOALS SCORED – 93
- GOALS CONCEDED – 108
LEAGUE RECORD (AWAY)
- GAMES PLAYED – 37
- FULHAM WINS – 8
- DRAWS – 9
- WBA WINS – 20
- GOALS SCORED – 40
- GOALS CONCEDED – 78
BIGGEST WINS AT THE HAWTHORNS
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WBA 6-1 FULHAM (1946/47, 1962/63)
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WBA 6-2 FULHAM (1965/66)
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WBA 5-1 FULHAM (1966/67)
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WBA 4-0 FULHAM (1927/28, 1992/93)
LAST 5 GAMES
- FULHAM 2-0 WBA
- WBA 0-0 FULHAM
- FULHAM 1-1 WBA
- WBA 1-1 FULHAM
- FULHAM 1-1 WBA
LEAGUE FORM
- WBA – LLWLL
- FULHAM – DLLDD
COLLINS JOHN’S VIEW
In the reverse fixture a couple of months ago, we battered West Brom with a very convincing win at the Cottage. Unfortunately, that’s also the last time we won in the Premier League and although we’ve picked up some tidy draws, the table doesn’t lie after 19 games. We need to find our next 3 points and fast!
Sam Allardyce will make this a battle and as hard as possible for us to play our football. I’m going to stop predicting high scorelines when it comes to Fulham from now on because we just don’t score enough goals.
We’ve reached a point in the season where we still haven’t brought in a striker and Mitro has to start now. We can’t afford to keep our biggest goal threat out of the side any longer. Even if we have to adjust the style slightly, it has to happen. I’m backing the big man to score the winner, get his confidence back and hopefully it’ll transform his and Fulham’s season. COYW!
PREDICTION: WBA 0-1 FULHAM
BATTLE TO WATCH
MATHEUS PEREIRA VS ADEMOLA LOOKMAN
Both sides’ biggest threats have come from wide ares this season, with Matheus Pereira leading the hosts in goals and assists combined (5 & 3), and Ademola Lookman (3 & 3) doing the same for Fulham. Pereira has operated predominantly on the right flank this season, which if it continues to be the case, would line him up on the same side as Lookman. Pereira was instrumental in West Brom’s promotion campaign, notching a very impressive 20 assists across the season. Lookman was not as productive last season, but has shown an abundance of quality since arriving on loan from RB Leipzig at the start of the current campaign.
With each man proving to be his teams most consistent attacking outlet for their respective clubs this season, they have the potential to be a deciding factor in this game. If one can be threatening enough to force the other to retreat into their own half on a regular basis, it could prove an integral development. Scott Parker will also likely welcome back Antonee Robinson from suspension to the left wing-back role. If he can assist Lookman in providing a threat going forward, that could further negate the advances of Pereira on that side. It’s an area of the pitch to keep a close eye on, and may be a crucial battleground in this fight for survival.
LAST TIME OUT
FULHAM 2-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
When the two-sides met at Craven Cottage in November, Fulham secured the first of their only two league victories this season, with a comfortable 2-0 scoreline. In a game they largely controlled, Fulham could have scored more than the two they ultimately did. Bobby Decordova-Reid opened the scoring after good work on the left from Antonee Robinson, before Mitrovic nodded the USA international’s cross on to the head of his strike partner. Mitrovic underlined his potential importance to the upcoming meeting when he laid on another assist, as his hold up play and clever touch fed Ola Aina, to score what is so far the best goal scored by a player in white this season. If the man affectionately referred to as Mitro can have a similar impact in the Midlands, it should be another positive afternoon for Fulham.
PLAYERS IN COMMON
Chris Baird, Giles Barnes, Joe Connor, Zoltan Gera, Jonathan Greening, Mark Grew, Geoff Horsfield, Junichi Inamoto, Stefan Johansen, Diomansy Kamara, Tony Lange, Stacy North, Paul Peschisolido, Kieran Richardson, Bobby Robson, Arthur Rowley, Nicky Shorey, Brian Talbot, Pascal Zuberbuhler.
