Premier League preview: Tottenham vs Fulham

koclokindoblog, 11 Mei 2012,Tottenham host Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season knowing three points could secure a Champions League berth next season.

Tottenham, in fourth on 66 points, trail London rivals Arsenal, who travel to West Bromwich Albion, by one point with one game to play.

Should they win and Arsenal falter, Tottenham would leapfrog the Gunners into third and clinch a spot in the Champions League group stage.

Should Arsenal win however, Tottenham would be left in a fight for fourth with Newcastle United, in fifth on 65 points, facing Everton away.

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul believes his side deserve a shot at joining Manchester City and Manchester United in the Champions League.

"Arsenal and Newcastle have both been good, but we've been more consistent," Kaboul told the Best of Africa Awards in London.

"Let's hope that we can play in the Champions League next season because I think we deserve it after the great season we've had.

"We are going to give everything on Sunday to win and show the country we are here, and we want to play in the Champions League next season."



Fulham have won five and drawn one of their last seven games and could finish as high as seventh with three points from their journey to north London.

While Fulham have failed to score in six of their last seven trips to White Hart Lane, manager Martin Jol, who was sacked as Tottenham boss in 2007, insists there is no pressure on his side to perform.

"At the start of the season, when I saw the schedule, and I saw the game against Spurs in the last game of the season, I thought it could be difficult," Jol told the Ealing Gazette.

"An away game at Spurs, if there's a lot to play for, is a difficult game. But now we have 52 points, there's no problem and we can enjoy the day.

"If we can get three points there, we can get to seventh. It will be exciting and I love this excitement."

Benoit Assou-Ekotto will miss with a dislocated shoulder and Niko Krancjar is also unavailable, while Bryan Ruiz and Andy Johnson are missing for Fulham.

Premier League preview: Fulham vs Everton

koclokindoblog, 27 April 2012, Fulham defender Stephen Kelly will play through the pain barrier to take part in his team's English Premier League match against Everton.

Kelly, 28, suffered a minor wrist break in Fulham's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on April 9, and had to sit out his team's 2-1 victory over Wigan last week.

This Saturday, Fulham make the trip north to take on Everton, who are fresh from earning a point in a thrilling 4-4 draw away to champions Manchester United.

"Things have been going really well recently and I've been enjoying my football," fullback Kelly said.

"Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back playing. I sustained a slight break to my wrist but it's something that I can hopefully get over and play with a cast on it.

"I'll be looking to get back into training this week and get the confidence built up again.

"It's a matter of getting back into training and hopefully it will feel good and I'll be available at the weekend for the game against Everton."

Fulham are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning three of them, along with a credible draw against Chelsea.

They have risen to ninth on table, level on points with comparative heavyweights Liverpool, and Kelly said the squad have set the bar high for the run-in.

"We've been playing well and if we can continue our good form, and the good performances that we have been putting in, then there's no reason why we can't get to 50 points and then build on that," he said.

"We'll be looking to finish in the top eight, which is definitely achievable with the points we're on and the games coming up."

They are unlikely to have an easy ride at Goodison Park, with David Moyes' seventh-placed team motivated by the opportunity to finish above neighbours Liverpool for the first time since 2004-05.

Everton came from 4-2 down to take a point off league leaders United on Sunday, and will be sure to pose a threat through in-form striker Nikica Jelavic, who struck twice in the match at Old Trafford.

Fulham are without defender Zdenek Grygera (knee), midfielder Steve Sidwell (groin) and forward Bryan Ruiz (foot) for the match.

Everton must make do without Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year fullback Leighton Baines (hamstring), as well as midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring).

On-loan Dutchman Royston Drenthe has been suspended by the club indefinitely due to disciplinary reasons.

 

soccerway.com

Premier League preview: Fulham vs Wigan

koclokindoblog, 19 April 2012, Wigan head to London on Saturday knowing a win over Fulham could see them eight points clear of relegation by the end of the weekend.

Wigan have won four of their last five games and a victory in London would almost ensure safety for Roberto Martinez's side with three matches to go.

Victor Moses and Shaun Maloney have been crucial in Wigan's late move up the table.

Moses scored a 90th-minute goal to seal Wigan's 2-0 victory over Stoke on April 1 and then set up Jordi Gomez's goal in his side's 2-1 triumph against Arsenal on Tuesday.

Maloney has hit the back of the net twice in Wigan's brilliant recent streak including a long-range stunner against Manchester United as his side won 1-0.

Wigan's two most recent wins against United and Arsenal have seen Martinez's men show their ability to attack quickly, particularly along the flanks, and keep a strong defensive formation when they do not have the ball.

Fulham are also in decent form heading into Saturday's game with two wins and a draw in their last three matches, although that comes after three defeats in a row.

Unlike most other Premier League clubs, Fulham have not played since April 9 when Clint Dempsey's late goal clinched a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

That was Dempsey's 16th league goal of the season and the American forward will be keen to prove on Saturday that he should have been on the PFA's short list for Player of the Season.

Dempsey is easily Fulham's top scorer for the season with 22 in all competitions, with Andrew Johnson the next best with 11 goals.

It is the 29-year-old's sixth season with Fulham and easily his best in terms of goals.

Despite that he was left off the PFA's shortlist that only featured players from the top four clubs in the EPL.

Dempsey has thrived with the likes of Moussa Dembele, Bryan Ruiz and Danny Murphy buzzing around Fulham's midfield.

Martin Jol's side head into Saturday's match in 10th position with 43 points.

Strikers Pavel Pogrebnyak and Johnson could return from injury against Wigan.

Wigan are 16th on the EPL table with 34 points, five points clear of Bolton who occupy 18th spot and the third relegation berth.

Martinez could have Maloney back in the side after the Scottish midfielder missed his team's win over Arsenal due to a knee injury he suffered at training.

 

soccerway.com