Fulham v West Ham United
The lowest placed of the Premiership's half dozen London representatives go head-to-head on Easter Monday when the Hammers make the short pilgrimage to Craven Cottage.
Glenn Roeder's side will be out for revenge after Fulham registered a 2-0 victory at Upton Park four months ago making them one of only three teams to topple West Ham on their own patch. But fortunes have changes since then with the East Enders climbing above their capital rivals, who now find their top-flight status under threat.
A run of six consecutive defeats has left Jean Tigana's side just three points off the bottom three and with fellow strugglers Blackburn, Bolton and Leicester still to play. With this in mind, it is crucial that Fulham win their four remaining home games to maximize their survival hopes.
It has been well documented that the Cottagers have found goals hard to come by in the top flight and there are currently three players leading the club's scoring charts with just seven strikes. That's a respectable tally for midfielder Steed Malbranque, but represents a poor return for strikers Barry Hayles and Louis Saha - both of whom have played more than 2,000 minutes each this year.
Following another goalless display against Spurs a week ago, Tigana addressed his team's demise, stating: "It's very dangerous now; I want to see the reaction inside my team. The key is the players. We give them the maximum and now they need to react. That is my question for the next two games. Is it possible to get that reaction."
In contrast Glenn Roeder might well be suitably pleased with his first foray into management, especially given the number of skeptics who huffed and puffed at his appointment. Stability has been achieved and Fredi Kanoute is one player pleased with the progress shown: "If we try to keep ourselves in the top half of the table it is okay and next year I think we will improve, get better and better, and hopefully finish in the top six."
The West Ham side is packed full of creativity - a view obviously shared by Sven-Goran Eriksson who included both Joe Cole and Trevor Sinclair in his squad to face Italy. The duo have weighed in with seven assists and have provided almost 60 defence-splitting passes between them this term - a danger that Fulham will need to snuff out.
On paper the goals look set to emanate from the visitors, but the ambitious punters among you can get odds of 16/1 on a 2-2 draw with surreySPORTS.
Mark Willis
Match referee: M. Halsey
Mark Halsey is certainly clocking up the miles this season. Last week his profession took him to the north west and Anfield, whereas this Bank Holiday Monday he will be plying his trade in the capital. Halsey will be hoping the match is as easy to control as Liverpool versus Chelsea was, when he was only required to produce just one booking for each side.
Referee's Name FoulsPenaltiesYellow CardsRed CardsAve
Disc pointsM. Halsey 497 3 55 4 40.88
PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD
click below for in-depth comparisonMarlet v Kanoute
TEAM NEWS
Jean Tigana has to decide whether to stick with the side who ended Fulham's six-match losing streak by earning a draw at Southampton.
Barry Hayles, who missed several chances against Saints, could make way for Louis Saha or Tigana could pick both alongside Steve Marlet, as he did in Fulham's last home game.
Lee Clark is still out with his long-term ankle injury while Sean Davis and Jon Harley will hope for recalls after being demoted to the bench against Saints.
Glenn Roeder has re-affirmed his faith in Frederic Kanoute, who was criticised by fans during the 3-1 win against Ipswich, and the Frenchman is set to keep his place in attack ahead of Jermain Defoe.
The latter netted his 12th goal of the season on Saturday but will have to be content with a place on the bench again as Roeder could name an unchanged side. Cruciate ligament victim Don Hutchison and Grant McCann, injured on international duty last week, are both out.
MATCH BETTING
click on links below to place a wager
Match Result
Fulham 6/5
Draw 12/5
West Ham 7/4
Correct Score
Fulham 1-0 6/1
Fulham 2-0 9/1
Fulham 2-1 15/2
Fulham 3-0 16/1
Fulham 3-1 16/1
Fulham 3-2 25/1
Fulham 4-0 50/1
Fulham 4-1 40/1
Fulham 4-2 50/1
Fulham 5-0 100/1
Fulham 5-1 100/1
Draw 0-0 8/1
Draw 1-1 6/1
Draw 2-2 16/1
Draw 3-3 50/1
West Ham 1-0 7/1
West Ham 2-0 12/1
West Ham 2-1 10/1
West Ham 3-0 28/1
West Ham 3-1 22/1
West Ham 3-2 28/1
West Ham 4-0 80/1
West Ham 4-1 80/1
West Ham 4-2 80/1
West Ham 5-0 100/1
West Ham 5-1 100/1
Double Result
Fulham/Fulham 11/4
Fulham/Draw 16/1
Fulham/West Ham 33/1
Draw/Fulham 4/1
Draw/Draw 4/1
Draw/West Ham 5/1
West Ham/Fulham 28/1
West Ham/Draw 16/1
West Ham/West Ham 7/2
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