Fulham - Burnley - 7M sport

Fulham - Burnley

Posted Tuesday, February 09, 2010 by Goal.com

Craven' a win at the Cottage...

Kick-Off: Tuesday, February 9, 20:00 GMT
Craven Cottage, London

Fulham host Burnley at Craven Cottage in the hope of getting a positive result to pick up the pieces and resurrect a season that appeared to be slipping away in recent weeks.

Two victories in the FA Cup – against Swindon Town and Accrington Stanley – were sandwiched by five consecutive defeats in the Premier League as the wrinkles on manager Roy Hodgson’s face showed signs of frustration.

But the Cottagers have since taken baby-steps following their dreary start to the new year by notching up a victory over a troubled Portsmouth and topping it up with a draw away from home to Bolton Wanderers.

A victory over the Clarets will serve to boost their confidence as the first-leg of the double header against last year’s UEFA Cup (now called the Europa League) winners Shakhtar Donetsk is just over a week away.

Meanwhile, any hope of playing catch-up, and playing it well, to earn another run in Europe’s secondary club competition will hinge on whether the home side can get the desired result on the given day.

On the other side of the fence, Burnley were on a downward spiral after a dubious run of 12 games without a win in the top-flight, before a 2-1 victory over West Ham United brought their freefall down the table to a halt. Incidentally, it was also the first win for manager Brian Laws since being handed the reins to Turf Moor.

Laws is presented with a problem that has plagued his side all season long: the Clarets have been woeful at best on their travels, as 12 trips away from home have resulted in nothing but doom and gloom in the form of 11 losses and a lone draw.

The stalemate came against a then defensively inert Manchester City side during early November, when the Eastlands club were on a run of several consecutive draws.

But circumstantial evidence aside, a point is a point and the Clarets will now have to beat the odds and get a positive result at Craven Cottage to avoid getting sucked into the whirlpool of a relegation battle.

FORM GUIDE

Fulham

Jan 23: Accrington Stanley 1-3 Fulham [FA Cup]
Jan 26: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Fulham [Premier League]
Jan 30: Fulham 0-2 Aston Villa [Premier League]
Feb 3: Fulham 1-0 Portsmouth [Premier League]
Feb 6: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Fulham [Premier League]

Burnley

Jan 16: Manchester United 3-0 Burnley [Premier League]
Jan 23: Reading 1-0 Burnley [FA Cup]
Jan 26: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Burnley [Premier League]
Jan 30: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea [Premier League]
Feb 6: Burnley 2-1 West Ham United [Premier League]

TEAM NEWS

Fulham

Manager Roy Hodgson has serious injury concerns as his squad is being stretched to its limit. Clint Dempsey, Paul Konchesky, John Pantsil and Andy Johnson are already with the medics, while Kagisho Dikgacoi recently joined them due to an ankle injury sustained during the goalless draw with Bolton.

Striker Bobby Zamora succumbed to an illness and was unable to make the trip to the Reebok, but he may be able to play a part in this encounter. Simon Davies and Zoltan Gera will also be assessed and have a chance of making a return.

Burnley

Graham Alexander and Chris McCann will not be travelling to London, while Steven Caldwell is expected to be out as well. Stephen Jordan could make the squad, but it is unlikely that he will replace Danny Fox at the left-back position. Chris Eagles warmed the bench against West Ham United, and could play a part in this fixture if the gaffer decides to play a lone man up front.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham – Bobby Zamora

The Cottagers have been goal shy in recent weeks, hitting the back of the net only once in their last five games in the league. But Bobby Zamora has been having a great season, and the striker will be keen to add to an impressive tally of 11 goals after missing out on the goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium.

Burnley – Danny Fox

The 23-year-old former Celtic player made a dream debut for the Clarets as he set up a goal before going on to score the winner against West Ham United. He will be riding high on confidence following a good start to his career at Turf Moor, and could spur his side on to their first victory away from home.

PREDICTION

Fulham have shown they can match any team stride-for-stride at Craven Cottage, and the arrival of Burnley - who have the dubious distinction of having the worst defensive record away from home – should give the hosts the impetus needed to rake in all three points on Tuesday night.

Fulham 2-0 Burnley