MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 03:46:03| >> :120:18248:18248:
[monks data]
Fulham logo
Premier League
Jan 1, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
West Ham logo

2-1

Sidwell (32'), Berbatov (66')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Diame (7')

Preview: Fulham vs. West Ham United

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Premier League clash between Fulham and West Ham United at Craven Cottage.

Fulham will attempt to bounce back from their 6-0 thrashing against Hull City last time out when they welcome fellow strugglers West Ham United on New Year's Day.

The Cottagers have lost three of their last four games in the Premier League, with that run of form leaving them in 18th position in the table, although victory could move them as high as 14th depending on other results on the day.

Their home form has been poor this season, however, with just two wins from their nine matches on their own patch, which is the joint-worst record in the division alongside basement club Sunderland.

West Ham, meanwhile, twice led against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, but had to settle for a 3-3 draw at Upton Park. That result left them in 19th spot in the table on 15 points.

Sam Allardyce's side have really struggled on the road, with just one win and five losses from their nine matches.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a 3-0 West Ham win, but Fulham were 3-1 victors when they welcomed the Hammers to Craven Cottage in the previous campaign.

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is expected to ring the chances following the heavy defeat against Hull, with the likes of Elsad Zverotic, Giorgos Karagounis and Hugo Rodallega among those expected to drop out of the first XI.

Scott Parker will return in midfield alongside Steve Sidwell, while there could also be a place in attack for Darren Bent with Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov still out with an injury.

West Ham, meanwhile, are still without the services of long-term absentee Andy Carroll, but the England international could return to first-team action in the middle of January.

His absence means that either Carlton Cole or Modibo Maiga will start as the lone forward, while Joe Cole is also expected to continue in attack.

The Hammers have a number of defensive concerns, however, with James Tomkins joining fellow centre-backs James Collins and Winston Reid on the sidelines. As a result, Joey O'Brien and Guy Demel could start in the middle of the back four for the away side.

Recent form:

Fulham: WLLWL

West Ham: DWLLD

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson; Parker, Sidwell, Kasami; Kacaniklic, Bent, Ruiz

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; McCartney, O'Brien, Demel, Rat; Noble, Diame, Nolan; Jarvis, Maiga, J Cole

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:127424: cacheID:127424:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5531:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nicolas Anelka of West Brom celebrates scoring their first goal with Saido Berahino of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match against West Ham United on December 28, 2013
Read Next:
WBA come from behind twice to draw
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!