Fulham vs. Tottenham
Venue: Craven Cottage
Kick off: 5PM
Tottenham Hotspur make a 20-mile trip south to Fulham this afternoon aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League.
Back-to-back home defeats, either side of a 3-0 win at Cardiff City, has completely derailed Tottenham’s title bid just as they were being mentioned as possible rivals to Manchester City’s crown.
The Lilywhites had taken 36 points from a possible 42 between September 22 and Boxing Day, losing only to Man City and Arsenal, which had them hot on the heels of the Citizens and pacesetters Liverpool.
Tottenham’s struggles against the fellow big boys has continued, though, with Man United picking up a 1-0 win at Wembley last weekend, albeit in a match that the home side dominated for large parts, and they suffered a further blow with the injury loss of Harry Kane.
If not for the heroics of David de Gea, Spurs could easily have taken all three points from the match to remain within six points of top spot. As it is, though, they are nine points adrift of Liverpool and are now looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack.
Tottenham also have the chance to rebuild some momentum over the next few weeks, as they face Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City in successive home matches following their London derby with Fulham.
It is on their travels that the Lilywhites have been at their best this term, though, winning more Premier League away games than any other side (10).
Tottenham are also unbeaten in their last 20 top-flight away games against promoted sides, winning 17 of those since a 1-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers in April 2012, but they have lost three of their four league games played on a Sunday this season, perhaps offering Fulham just a little hope.
Fulham however appeared to have finally turned a corner under Claudio Ranieri when going three matches without defeat at Christmas time, following up draws with Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers with all three points against Huddersfield Town.
Aleksandar Mitrovic snatched victory for the Cottagers with a late strike, after Aboubakar Kamara had earlier missed a penalty, to lift his side into 18th place and just a point from safety at the time.
Two wins from eight under Ranieri in the Premier League is now two wins from 10, though, as Fulham then lost 4-1 away at Arsenal in a match far tighter than the scoreline suggests, before going down 2-1 at Burnley last time out.
The loss at Turf Moor was particularly tough for Ranieri to take, as Burnley did not register a single shot on target yet still managed to find the net twice through a couple of own goals.
Fulham possible XI: Rico, Odoi, Ream, Marchand, Christie, Chambers, Seri, Bryan, Schurrle, Mitrovic, Sessegnon.
Tottenham possible XI: Lloris, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Trippier, Winks, Eriksen, Rose, Dele, Llorente, Lamela.