WIGANER.net Fulham Preview

Roy Hodgson has transformed the club since taking over last season, only a dramatic away win at Portsmouth kept Fulham in the Premier League on the final day and the club now sit proudly in the top half of the table. There is a downside to this though… the club has failed to win an away game all season.

Fulham are known for their poor away form but are still very difficult to break down having secured draws at Anfield and Villa Park this season. Five draws and six defeats mean that despite not one away win all season, the match on Saturday is sure to be one of the hardest of the season.

The match at Craven Cottage back in October saw the home side win 2-0 with both goals coming from Andy Johnson who hit his first goals for the club. The month was very unsettling for Wigan with many fearing a relegation struggle in the coming months after a winless month but this has not been the case.

Yes, the club is still not entirely safe but there is a chance of European qualification either through a league position or through the Intertoto cup which Aston Villa took to gain access this season. There is still a lot of hard work that must be done to achieve this, starting with the game on Saturday against the London side.

Amr Zaki comes back into contention after missing the draw at Aston Villa along with Antonio Valencia who is close to a first team return. Ben Watson made his debut at Villa Park last week and will be hoping for a home debut. Charles N'Zogbia should make his debut with Ryan Taylor departing and Hugo Rodallega will be in with a chance of featuring after Henri Camara left for Stoke City on loan.

Predicted Line Up


Kirkland

Melchiot Boyce Bramble Figueroa

Valencia Scharner Cattermole N'Zogbia

Mido Zaki


Key Players for Fulham

Mark Schwarzer- The experienced goalkeeper joined the club for free after his contract with Middlesbrough expired last summer. A calm head and one of the better 'keepers in the division.

Brede Hangeland- One of Roy Hodgson's first signings and has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent times. The towering centre half is dominant in the air and also a threat from corners and free kicks

Danny Murphy- Just signed a new one year contract extension with the club to extend his stay at the club until 2010. The former Liverpool man might not have the same stamina as he did in the past but is still a fantastic passer of the ball and can make things happen in an instant.

Andy Johnson- Fantastic pace and a natural finisher, Andy Johnson was almost a Wigan player back when he left Crystal Palace but chose to join Everton and was linked with a move to the JJB back in the summer but eventually joined The Cottagers. Will be a huge threat on Saturday on the break as his speed can hurt teams.

This will be a game where Fulham will look to hit us on the break and try to snatch a goal from set pieces. If we can grab an early goal, the match should give us a great chance of three points but the longer it goes, the harder it will be to score. This could be a win for Wigan, but a hard fought win.