http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/03/05/1819834/fa-cup-preview-fulham-tottenham-hotspurFA Cup Preview: Fulham - Tottenham HotspurThe only quarter-final derby will be contested at the Cottage...
By Richard Parry
Mar 5, 2010 7:20:00 PM
Kick-Off: Saturday, 6 March, 17:20 GMT
Craven Cottage, London
Fulham welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Craven Cottage this Saturday as we reach the quarter-final stages of the FA Cup.
Both sides will be looking to claim a place at Wembley, and with the semi-finals being held at the home of English football, one of these London sides will be fortunate enough to grace the hallowed turf – albeit a particularly dodgy one of late!
The FA Cup is all about history, memories and tradition; and both of these London sides awash with these aspects of the game.
Fulham first entered the FA Cup in 1896, as a non-league side participating in the London League, and it was some seven years later that the Cottagers made their first appearance in the FA Cup first round, and have appeared in the competition every year since then.
In 1958, Fulham participated in the emotionally charged semi-final against Manchester United at Villa Park, less than two months after the tragic Munich disaster. 70,000 spectators attended the match, with went to a replay after a 2-2 draw. Bobby Charlton, one of the miraculous survivors of the disaster, scored United’s equaliser. The Red Devils won the replay 5-3 at Highbury.
Fulham made their first and only FA Cup final appearance in 1975, as they took on West Ham United in front of the legendary Wembley Twin Towers. The match would see England legend Bobby Moore line-up against his beloved Hammers, and the East London side claimed the cup with a 2-0 victory.
As for Tottenham, they can boast an impressive love affair with the FA Cup, albeit that the club have been starved of success in the competition since their 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the 1991 final.
Spurs have won the prestigious tournament eight times, more than any other side left in the competition.
Successes in 1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982 and the aforementioned 1991 have earned the White Hart Lane side the stigma of only ever recording triumphs when the years end in a one, so history suggests Harry Redknapp’s men may have to wait until next season to lift the cup once again.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, Spurs have a 100 per cent record against Fulham in the FA Cup; beating them 4-0 in their last meeting (2007), also at Craven Cottage, with braces from Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov.
Saturday will be a proper cup tie, a London derby held at a picturesque and unique stadium, with two of English football’s most respected managers – as Roy Hodgson and Redknapp plot their campaigns to Wembley.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
28 Feb: Sunderland 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
25 Feb: Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 Fulham (Europa League)
21 Feb: Fulham2-1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
18 Feb: Fulham 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Europa League)
14 Feb: Fulham 4-0 Notts County (FA Cup)
Tottenham
28 Feb: Tottenham 2-1 Everton (Premier League)
24 Feb: Tottenham 4-0 Bolton (FA Cup)
21 Feb: Wigan 0-3 Tottenham (Premier League)
14 Feb: Bolton 1-1 Tottenham (FA Cup)
10 Feb: Wolves 1-0 Tottenham (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
Danny Murphy faces a fitness test before his participation against his old club can be confirmed, although fellow Spurs old boy Paul Konchesky could return after being sidelined with an ankle injury.
Hodgson will have to do without the services of USA international Clint Dempsey and Ghana defender John Pantsil, who remain unavailable (both suffering cruciate ligament injuries), while Andrew Johnson will also miss out (knee).
Starting XI from last match (vs Sunderland): Schwarzer, Hangeland, Baird, Shorey, Hughes, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Etuhu, Davies, Zamora.
Tottenham
Tottenham could be without Jermain Defoe this weekend, after the club’s top goalscorer picked up a hamstring injury during England’s match against Egypt.
Redknapp’s biggest cause for concern, however, lies within his midfield, with Jermain Jenas, Aaron Lennon (both groin), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and David Bentley (hip) all sidelined.
Club captain Ledley King also remains doubtful, so Sebastien Bassong will deputise alongside Michael Dawson as Younes Kaboul is cup tied.
Gareth Bale, who has been impressive at full-back for Spurs in recent weeks, may also miss out after picking up a knee injury whilst on international duty with Wales.
Starting XI from last match (vs Everton): Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Bale, Kranjcar, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham - Bobby Zamora
The striker could be one of five players facing their former employers on Saturday, with Simon Davies, Stephen Kelly, Paul Konchesky and Danny Murphy having all played for Tottenham.
Fulham’s leading scorer has failed to score against Spurs so far this season, and Tottenham are yet to have conceded against their London rivals at all after their two league matches - a goalless draw at the Cottage and a 2-0 victory for Spurs at White Hart Lane.
In front of a packed stadium, with home support behind, Zamora will be looking to make it third time lucky against Redknapp's side.
Tottenham - Roman Pavlyuchenko
Having seen his first team appearances limited to a spot on the bench this season, Pavlyuchenko has bagged six goals in his last four appearances, having scored back-to-back braces against Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers before hitting Spurs’ opening goal against Everton last time out.
With top goalscorer Jermain Defoe a doubt for Saturday’s match, the Russian international is set to partner England hero Peter Crouch upfront for Spurs, and they’ll both be looking to build on their recent good form.
PREDICTION
One thing is certain about this contest; both sides will be going for the throat – attacking from the offset. Hodgson will see this as his side’s best chance of reaching Wembley, with a potential replay at White Hart Lane a less than appetising prospect. Redknapp, meanwhile, has consistently conceded that his side is built to attack, and they will feel that they can get a result.
I personally feel that this one is destined for two legs, and despite what I expect to be a thoroughly entertaining match, the scores will end tied.
Fulham 2-2 Tottenham